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September 11, 2001　Plantation Pidgin

I finally found where the word “sabe” comes from. Tom Shimabuku, a local man who grew up in Nu`uanu, O`ahu wrote an article in this Sunday’s paper that says the Pidgin word “sabe” comes from the Spanish word, “saber.”

All my life, I thought “sabe” was a Japanese word. Or, at least a Pidgin word derived from a Japanese one. So when I lived in Japan a few years ago, I was disappointed that no one knew what I was talking about. I even went so far as to find and visit some distant relatives from the prefectures where my great-grandparents immigrated to Hawai`i from, in hopes that they were more familiar with their dialect. No luck.

Until I read Mr. Shimabuku’s article, the only person I ever knew to use the word “sabe” was my grandpa. After he said something, or after he explained something, he would always say, “Sabe?” It means “to understand.”

I knew that it was one of those “plantation Pidgin” words – the words born during the plantation days, when immigrants worked long hours in the canefields in hopes of a better life in America. But I also assumed that it was Japanese. I don’t know why. Ignorance, maybe.

Come to think of it, many of the “plantation Pidgin” words that my mom uses are not Japanese. There is one word in particular that I always gave her a hard time about. It’s the word, “tita.” (A tita is a large, imposing woman with a sharp tongue and strong personality.) Anyway, my generation pronounces the word, “ti-tah,” with a short “i” sound. My mom says, “tee-tah,” with a long “e” sound. “Tita” comes from the Hawaiian language.

There is so much controversy over Hawai`i’s Pidgin language. I think it’s a great way to learn about our heritage, our communities, and our history. Even after I think I’ve mastered Pidgin (well, growing up in Hilo gave me a head start), I’m still learning about where the words came from. I think it’s fascinating.
Sabe?