The quest of Shiman-chu: Questioning the absolutes of language, culture, and Being

Despite significant loss of the Shima-guchi language and Shima-culture on Tokunoshima Island, Shiman-chu identity remains robust among residents. This finding emerges from a mixed-methods study involving surveys (N=3509) and interviews (N=40), conducted over four years within an Indigenous research paradigm that prioritizes participant voices and reciprocity. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between age and fluency in Shima-guchi, as well as knowledge of Shima-culture, with many participants emphasizing the importance of preserving 'Shima no kokoro'—the heart of the island expressed through language and culture. While linguistic and cultural erosion is evident, the majority of participants expressed a desire to retain these elements for future generations.

Nakagawa, S. (2013). The quest of Shiman-chu: Questioning the absolutes of language, culture, and Being [University of Alberta Library]. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3DD3V