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Mitchel
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Todd
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Hawaiian Life
Mitchell talks about his home area.
Todd: So, Mitchell, you are Hawaiian, right? And Hawaii is part of the United States but, what would you say, that most Hawaiians are similar to people in the mainland or quite different to people in the mainland?
Mitchell: That's a tough question. They're the same because they speak English, but they look different. They're more of a, more darker complexion. They speak in a more pidgin, we call it "pidgin English." It's broken English, so it's not, if I go to, for example, if my friends, we'll go to the mainland, lot of them don't really understand them, like, "Can you repeat what you said, please?"
Todd: Right.
Mitchell: But I guess anywhere you go everyone's different.
Todd: How about, can you say there's a difference in culture in how people are, like in personality, people on Hawaii and people in the mainland?
Mitchell: I tend to think that people from the mainland talk more.
Todd: Right.
Mitchell: Like, yeah, they'll just talk about anything, and Hawaiian culture they don't talk as much. They talk when you have to talk real talk, in general, but.
Todd: Have you ever actually considered moving to the mainland, or would you prefer to live in Hawaii forever.
Mitchell: Well, yeah, I've considered it many times. Actually, my middle brother right now is working in New York City, and my oldest brother was working in Boston, but now he's back in Hawaii working, and my middle brother is still in New York working. Yeah, I would like to live in the mainland, but I'd like to pick a place with nice weather, and you know, a warm culture.
Todd: Right, right. You can't beat that warm weather in Hawaii. That's for sure. How about the foods? What's some food that's really good in Hawaii?
Mitchell: Oh, man, don't get me started on food! Since Hawaii has a mixed culture, we call it local food, like it's called a plate lunch. Like for example, you'll pay five bucks, and you'll get whatever you want, you just choose, for example, steak, rice, salad, for all five bucks. The food is I think, is way better than mainland because like, it's, the food is mixed, so like, you can get anything you want. For example, if you go to a food court in Hawaii, we have every section. Chinese, Korean, Hawaiian, Philliphino, so you get to choose whatever you want, you know, Mexican, and I think the portions are big, too.
Todd: Oh, wow, sounds good man. I haven't had lunch yet. You're making me hungry.
Mitchell: I'm hungry myself.
Todd: Thanks Mitchell.
mainland
Are Hawaiians similar to people in the mainland?
The 'mainland' is the main part of a country, not its islands or smaller territories. Notice the following:
- She moved from Hawaii to the mainland for college.
- Many tourists come from the mainland each year.
pidgin English
They speak in a more pidgin, we call it "pidgin English."
'Pidgin English' is a simplified form of English that developed by combining English with other languages. In Hawaii, it refers to the local dialect spoken by many people. Notice the following:
- Some local people speak pidgin English at home.
- It took me a while to understand Hawaiian pidgin English.
personality
There's a difference in culture in how people are, like in personality.
Your 'personality' is the way you usually think, feel, and behave. Notice the following:
- She has a friendly personality.
- Everyone has a different personality.
in general
They talk when you have to talk real talk, in general.
We use 'in general' to talk about what is usually true, without including every single case. Notice the following:
- In general, people enjoy sunny weather.
- Students, in general, study harder before exams.
ever actually
Have you ever actually considered moving to the mainland?
We use 'ever actually' to emphasize whether something has really happened or been seriously considered. Notice the following:
- Have you ever actually met a famous person?
- Did you ever actually read the whole book?
considered
I've considered it many times.
If you have 'considered' something, you have thought carefully about doing it or making a decision. Notice the following:
- She's considering buying a new car.
- Have you considered studying abroad?
middle brother
Actually, my middle brother right now is working in New York City.
Your 'middle brother' is the brother who is between an older and a younger brother in age. Notice the following:
- My middle brother lives in Australia.
- I'm the youngest, so my middle brother is older than me.
back in
My oldest brother was working in Boston, but now he's back in Hawaii.
The phrase 'back in' means someone has returned to a place where they were before. Notice the following:
- She's back in Japan after living overseas.
- He'll be back in the office on Monday.
pick a place
I'd like to pick a place with nice weather.
To 'pick a place' means to choose a location. Notice the following:
- Let's pick a place to meet for lunch.
- It was hard to pick a place for our vacation.
warm culture
Hawaii has nice weather and a warm culture.
A 'warm culture' is one in which people are friendly, welcoming, and kind to others. Notice the following:
- I love the warm culture in small towns.
- The country is known for its warm culture and hospitality.
you can't beat
You can't beat that warm weather in Hawaii.
We use the expression 'you can't beat' to say that nothing is better than something. Notice the following:
- You can't beat homemade pizza.
- For relaxing, you can't beat a day at the beach.
bucks
You just choose, for example, steak, rice, salad, for all five bucks.
'Bucks' is an informal word for dollars. Notice the following:
- I bought the book for ten bucks.
- That meal only cost eight bucks.
myself
I'm hungry myself.
Here, 'myself' is used for emphasis to mean "I am too" or "I also am." Notice the following:
- I enjoyed the movie myself.
- I'd like to go myself if I have time.
Vocabulary Quiz
plate • court
Mitchell talks about how Hawaii is different than the rest of the United States.
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