Pohnpenian Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

valeriamarchese2
Oct 6
5 min read

As the Pohnpenian people increasingly migrate to the United States for safety, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life, language access is one of their biggest obstacles. This is where Pohnpenian interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.

For the Pohnpenian, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, interpreters play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.

This blog explores the Pohnpenian language, why the Pohnpenian are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.

Who speaks Pohnpenian?

Pohnpeian is the language of the Indigenous people of Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It is the second most widely spoken Indigenous language in the FSM, after Chuukese, and is used primarily on Pohnpei's main island and its nearby outer islands.

Pohnpeian is part of the Oceanic languages, a large family of languages spoken across the Pacific. It belongs to the Chuukic-Pohnpeic branch of the Micronesian languages. Currently, Pohnpeian does not have any widely documented variants. However, it is closely related to other Pohnpeic languages, like Pingelapese, Mokilese, and Ngatikese, spoken on nearby islands.

The island of Pohnpei has been settled for nearly two millennia, with early settlers likely arriving from the Solomon Islands or Vanuatu. Historians typically divide the island's past into three main periods: the construction era before 1100, the Saudeleur Dynasty from about 1100 to 1628, and the Nahnmwarki system that followed. The Saudeleur ruled from Nan Madol, an ancient stone city built on artificial islands, until their authority collapsed. This collapse led to the creation of the government they have today, where traditional chiefs and community leaders share leadership.

From the 16th century onwards, foreign powers claimed Pohnpei. Spain ruled in the late 1800s, then sold it to Germany. Japan took over during World War I, and after World War II, the U.S. administered the island. Since 1986, Pohnpei has been part of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Pohnpeian culture is rooted in clan traditions known as tiahk. Communal ceremonies hold great importance, such as yam festivals where chiefs receive large yams as symbols of prestige and unity. Social hierarchy and respect are fundamental in ceremonies, especially those involving sakau, a kava-based drink that is typically drunk during rituals, funerals, and celebrations.

Why are the Pohnpenian migrating?

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, including those from Pohnpei, can live, work, and study in the United States through the Compact of Free Association (COFA). This agreement allows Micronesians, including Pohnpeians, to migrate legally to the U.S. Since World War II, many Pohnpeians have migrated under COFA in response to poor living conditions, limited educational and job opportunities, and worsening environmental challenges.

Limited job growth and economic stagnation in the FSM are primary reasons for migration. The majority of those who migrate are in their mid-twenties, looking for better wages and employment prospects. Their migration tends to become permanent rather than seasonal or temporary.

Environmental challenges also contribute to the decision to migrate. Pohnpei and the FSM are experiencing rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms, cyclones, and droughts. Data from the Climate Impact, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment (CIVRA) shows that Pohnpei has warmed by approximately 0.31 °F per decade since 1952, with maximum temperatures increasing at a faster rate than minimum temperatures. This warming increases the likelihood of more frequent heatwaves and shifts in ocean chemistry that can harm marine life, which people rely on for food security and jobs.

The Roles And Importance Of Pohnpenian Interpreters

Pohnpenian interpreters help migrants to express themselves and understand the information they are given, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and make more informed decisions.

Interpreters act as trusted guides for Pohnpenian migrants, guiding them through the complex U.S. immigration system, and helping them get access to medical, legal, and social services. In settings like doctor's appointments, immigration proceedings, and court hearings, qualified Pohnpenian interpreters are indispensable.

Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Pohnpenian cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.

Pohnpeian speakers are located primarily in the FSM, with smaller diaspora communities in Hawaii and the mainland U.S. This small pool limits interpreter availability, especially for urgent or in-person needs. In parts of the U.S. where Pohnpeian is rarely requested, there are few resources, and service providers may lack awareness about the language or its needs.

Interpreting Pohnpeian is challenging because meaning often depends on cultural context, indirect speech, and nonverbal cues. Remote interpretation by phone or video cannot always fully convey these nuances. Only native speakers raised within the culture can interpret them accurately, making qualified interpreters both rare and necessary for interpretation.

This language disparity restricts Pohnpenian speakers' access to healthcare, legal aid, and social services. Without language services, they are at risk of misdiagnoses, unfair asylum decisions, and unjust deportations. Pohnpenian speakers need access to qualified interpreters to have a clear understanding of their circumstances and exercise their fundamental right to language access in the U.S.

Work With A Pohnpenian Interpreter from Maya Bridge

At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Pohnpenian and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Pohnpenian to English interpretation to countless government agencies, healthcare organizations, and courts. As a small, niche interpretation agency specializing in Latin American Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to offer on-demand Pohnpenian interpretation, 24 hours a day.

We offer:

Video Remote Pohnpenian Interpretation
Over-the-phone Pohnpenian Interpretation
In-person Pohnpenian Interpretation
Court-certified Pohnpenian Interpretation
Medical-certified Pohnpenian Interpretation
Pohnpenian Translation
Pohnpenian Voiceover and Subtitles

Learn more about our language services here.

Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Latin American Indigenous Language Access In The U.S.

Since 2021, Maya Bridge Language Services has been advocating for increased access for speakers of Mayan and other Latin American and global Indigenous languages here in the United States. Maya Bridge is a mission-driven, niche interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services for over 100 Indigenous languages from Latin America, as well as African, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, and other Indigenous languages.

We have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world to ensure that speakers of Indigenous languages can fully understand and be understood in important situations like healthcare, legal settings, in disaster and emergency response scenarios, and in receiving access to government programs.