The Changes in the Use of Japanese Loanwords in Palauan

Abstract

This paper examines the generational change in the use of Japanese loanwords in Palauan. The Japanese occupation of Palau from 1914 to the end of World War II generated inevitable social change which impacted the Palauan people and their language. During this time over 850 Japanese loanwords were adopted into Palauan. Now, seventy years after the end of the Japanese rule,Japanese loanwords still constitute a considerable fraction of the Palauan language. However, the number of Japanese loanwords in use has been gradually decreasing and the meaning of some loanwords is changing. We conducted questionnaires and interviews surveying the use of the 850 plus Japanese loanwords with 6 Palauan natives of different generations. The results suggested that the use and comprehension of the Japanese loanwords vary among the speakers and decline generationally.