In the Pacific, language is more than just a means of communication—it is identity, heritage, and hope. For Victoria Jamore, a proud daughter of the Marshall Islands, language is the soul of her people.
“Language is the backbone of our culture, our Manit—our customs and morals,” Victoria shares. “It’s what solidifies who we are. It connects us to our ancestors, our community, and the generations yet to come.”
In a world that moves at lightning speed, where traditions can be swept away by modernity, Victoria stands firm in her belief that preserving and evolving the Marshallese language is essential. “Our language is how we stay rooted,” she says. “It’s how we remember where we come from and where we’re going.”
One example of this connection lies in the name of the islands themselves: Aelon̄ Kein Ad. At first glance, it simply means “our islands.” But dig deeper, and the layers of meaning unfold like a woven mat: Ae for ocean, lon̄ for sky, Kein for land, and Ad for ours. “It’s a beautiful reminder that we are one with our environment,” Victoria explains. “Our language reflects our unity and our relationship with the world around us.”
But preserving a language isn’t just about looking back—it’s also about moving forward. As new global challenges emerge, from climate change to health and disaster preparedness, the Marshallese language must adapt. “We’re working together to create new words for concepts we didn’t have before,” Victoria says. “It’s about making sure our people can talk about these issues in our own language, in our own way.”
For Victoria, this work is more than linguistic—it’s deeply personal. It’s about ensuring that the voices of her ancestors continue to echo through time, guiding and grounding future generations.
“In every word, there’s a story. In every phrase, a piece of who we are,” she says with quiet pride. “And that’s something worth protecting.”
