In 2009, UNESCO announced that about 2,500 of the world's 6,000 or so languages are in danger of disappearing. This included eight languages in Japan.

In addition to Ainu, which had been designated before the 2009 announcement, the following languages have been added to the list: Hachijo from the Izu Islands, Amami, Kunigami from the northern Okinawa Island, Okinawan from the central and southern Okinawa, and Miyako, Yaeyama, and Yonaguni from the Sakishima Islands.

Hachijo is spoken mainly on Hachijojima in the Izu Islands and Aogashima to the south, and to a lesser extent on the Ogasawara Islands and Daitojima in Okinawa, where people who migrated from Hachijojima once lived.

Still, why was the language of Tokyo's Hachijo-jima and Aogashima considered a Hachijo language by UNESCO?

Many people seemed to be surprised that the various "dialects" of the Ryukyu Islands were evaluated as "languages," but even the locals were surprised about the Hachijo dialect. We will now explore the mysteries of the Hachijo dialect.

Hachijo Language Proficiency Test, Beginner Level Introductory Test (free of charge)" is available on this website.

About the Hachijo Language Proficiency Test for Beginners Introductory Test

 Hachijo Island Language Karuta" This is a karuta produced by the Hachijo Town Board of Education in Tokyo.

Now, how many of the questions can you answer about the Hachijo Language Proficiency Test, Beginner Level?

 Please take this opportunity to challenge the Hachijo Language Proficiency Test, Beginner Level, a language in danger of disappearing in Japan.

We are working to connect the Hachijo language not only to those who have moved to Hachijojima, but also to the next generation on Hachijojima, and to foreigners with advanced Japanese skills.

Part of "Hachijo Island Language Karuta".　The questions will be given in the introductory test of the Hachijo Language Proficiency Test (beginner level).

You can purchase "Hachijo Island Kotoba Karuta" from Rakuten Ichiba.

 External site: Rakuten Ichiba Hachijojima Nakaya Shoten

 https://item.rakuten.co.jp/kusaya/10000206/

1, Hachijo Island's specialty, the traditional national craft of dyeing and weaving silk fabric "Ki-hachijo" (Yellow Hachijo)

Available in Hachijo language. Includes common language subtitles.

 There is a theory that the island got its name from Kihachijo, and Kihachijo is proud of the people of Hachijojima. The narrator is Fumiko Yamashita of Meyu Kobo, a master weaver of Kihachijo. Kihachijo fabrics made by Fumiko Yamashita can be purchased at high-end kimono stores and department stores in Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. You will be amazed at the beauty of Kihachijo.

Below is a link to an external site.

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation – National Institutes for the Humanities, National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics, " Endangered Language Database”

 http://kikigengo.ninjal.ac.jp/kihachijo.html

2, How to make Hachijojima's famous "Island Sushi”

Let’s learn how to make Hachijo Island's signature dish, island sushi, in the Hachijo language!

You will be surprised at the size of the seasonal fish that is "zuke" (pickled) and made into nigirizushi, or sushi. In the past, the sushi used to be much larger.

Also, wasabi is not available on Hachijojima, what do you use instead?

Common language subtitles are included.

Eiko (a.k.a. Ekova), a Hachijo Island celebrity and media personality, will be presenting Hachijo cuisine and the Hachijo language in the video.

This person is called "Aekova" by the people of Hachijo-jima, the comedian Mr. Himura of Bananaman and the actress YOU. Another name for Hachijo-jima is "Nasake-jima" and this person is truly on the island of compassion.

Below is a link to an external site.

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation – National Institutes for the Humanities, National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics, " Endangered Language Database”

http://kikigengo.ninjal.ac.jp/simazusi.html

3, Picture-story show of the old tale "Tanabata-sama" told in the language of Hachijojima

You can watch the video.

The story differs from the commonly known "Tanabata-sama". Please listen to the Hachijo language with the gentle storytelling of an old lady of Hachijojima. Common language subtitles are included.

Below is a link to an external site.

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation – National Institutes for the Humanities, National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics, " Endangered Language Database”

http://kikigengo.ninjal.ac.jp/tanabata.html