Your Hawaiian name is determined by a process that involves converting your English name into Hawaiian. This conversion is not literaltranslation; instead, it takes into account the Hawaiian alphabet and pronunciation rules, which can cause certain characters to merge or split into different letters when they are repeated or surrounded by different ones. Here's an overview of how Hawaiian names are determined and what they typically look like:
Step One: Determine Your English Name
Begin with a name that you would like to convert into Hawaiian. This can be your given name, a nickname, or a name that holds personal meaning to you.
Step Two: Convert Your English Name to Hawaiian using Pronunciation Rules
Hawaiian names are based on the Hawaiian alphabet, which consists of 12 letters. Some letters, like "h," "w," and "x," do not occur in the Hawaiian language and have been omitted from the conversion process. Other letters, like "t," "d," and "b," can be doubled up or merged into one, depending on specific rules.
- Letters That Must Merge: Any repeating letter that is surrounded by different letters (other than "h," "w," or "x") will merge into one. For example, "tee" (two "t's") would become "t" in Hawaiian.
- Letters That Must Split: When a letter is repeated within a word or surrounded by the same letters, it will usually split into two. For instance, "book" (two "o's") in "book" would become "bo-k" in Hawaiian, and "kabob" (three "c"s) would be "ka-bob."
- Special Rules: Certain sounds in Hawaiian, like "th," "sh," and "ph," do not exist in the alphabet. When encountered, "th" and "ph" are replaced with a simple 't' and 'p,' respectively. Similarly, "sh" becomes "s."
Step Three: Translate Your Name According to Hawaiian Pronunciation Rules
With the above rules in mind, apply them to your English name. This may involve merging, splitting, or exchanging letters as necessary to conform to the Hawaiian alphabet. You may also need to adjust letters that are repeated to fit within the allowed number of syllables.
Example with a Real Name:
Let's say you want to convert the name "Emily" into Hawaiian. Here's how the process might work:
- Identify the repetition of "e" in "Emily": two "e's" in the word "Emily." You cannot double "e" in Hawaiian, so it will be split into two.
- "Emily" would therefore become "Emi-lee" in Hawaiian.
Conclusion:
After applying the necessary conversions and adjustments, your Hawaiian name will be determined, and you can start using it to connect with your Pacific roots. Remember that while this process provides a general guideline for converting English names into Hawaiian, there may be variations depending on the specific conversion tools and methods used.
