The Chuukese language, also known as Trukese, is a member of the Austronesian language family, which is spoken in the Federated States of Micronesia, particularly in the Chuuk State. Chuukese is the most widely spoken of the Micronesian languages, and it has a unique history of borrowing words from several other languages.
The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in the Federated States of Micronesia, including Chuuk State. They arrived in the 16th century, and their influence on the Chuukese language can be seen in some Spanish loan words such as sandia (watermelon), silla (chair), and kamote (sweet potato). These words have been adopted, altered and become "Sania, seiar, and kamu." These words were introduced during the Spanish administration of the islands, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century.
The German Empire later claimed the islands in 1899 and ruled until the end of World War I. During their brief occupation of these islands, the German did not really leave many words. The Germans however left behind many lastnames and place names. I recall my grandfather, who was alive during World War II, would refer to Germany as "Dois". This is ofcourse a reference to the German language which is called Deutsche in Germany, and Germany was called Deutschland.
After World War I, Japan took over control of the islands and ruled until the end of World War II. During this period, the Japanese language had a significant influence on the Chuukese language. Some examples of borrowed Japanese words in Chuukese include dengki (flash light), zori (slippers), chunga (drawing) among many others. In fact, the Chuukese language wasn't the only Micronesian language that was heavily influenced by the Japanese Administration, their sphere of influence encompassed the entire Micronesian region at that time.
Finally, with the increasing presence of English speakers in the region and the adoption of English as an official language of the Federated States of Micronesia, many English words have been borrowed into the Chuukese language as well. Words like basikel (bicycle), mota (motor), and ofis (office) have been borrowed from English, and are now commonly used in Chuukese.
Here are more borrowed words I've come collected while growing up with the language and also from interviews I've had with local speakers.
Spanish:
Chuukese: Kanapus (jail)
Spanish: Calaboose (jail)
German:
Chuukese: Stakin (socks)
German: socken (socks)
Japanese:
Japanese: Bokongo (cave)
Chuukese: Bokongo/Boku (cave)
If you know more that are not listed here. Please send them to me in an email: nesoniro@gmail.com so I may update this list.
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