Pohnpenian Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

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 and translators 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, language services 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 help interpreters can provide 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 some of the 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 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.

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 

We offer language services for Pohnpenian and all of its variants. Our Pohnpenian-to-English interpretation services are trusted by government agencies, healthcare providers, and courts across the country. As a small, niche agency specializing in Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to deliver 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 Indigenous and Lower-resource Language Access In The U.S.

At Maya Bridge Language Services, we’re a mission-driven interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services. We proudly provide interpretation in over 230 languages, including more than 145 Indigenous and low-diffusion languages from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Native American communities.

Since 2021, we have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world. Our growing network of trained interpreters ensures that Indigenous language speakers are heard and understood in critical moments, from healthcare to legal settings and access to government services.

Contact us to schedule a meeting or call us anytime, day or night, at (801) 753-8568.

About the Author

Jace Norton is a Q'eqchi' interpreter and linguist with an extensive background in the Q'eqchi' language. Norton lived and worked among the Q'eqchi' people from 2010-2012, created a language learning guide for Q'eqchi' in 2014, and worked in Q'eqchi' translation and interpretation from 2017-2021. In 2021, Norton founded Maya Bridge Language Services and is now a leading advocate for Mayan language access in the US.