“Make Uchina-guchi the second official language” – group working to spread Okinawan language delivers request to vice-governor
Okinawa vice-governor Yoshimi Teruya (left) accepting the petition to make Uchina-guchi the second official language of Okinawa from Chosei Genga (second from the left) of the “Uchina-guchi Kai” – March 22, at the Okinawa Prefectural Office
March 23, 2022 by Masanao Chinen
The “Uchina-guchi Kai,” an organization working to spread the Okinawan language led by Chosei Genga, visited Okinawan vice-governor Yoshimi Teruya at the Okinawa Prefectural Office on March 22, where they outlined the regulations in their request to make Uchina-guchi the “second official language” of Okinawa. This is the first time someone has submitted a written request for a second official language in Okinawa.
The written request asks that Uchina-guchi, which is used on tours and in Okinawan plays broadcast on television and radio, be designated the second official language as it is used in the role as a form of communication in Okinawa Prefecture.
Genga also noted that this would lead to “Ryukyuan and Okinawan people regaining their identity.”
Vice-governor Teruya conveyed his understanding of the importance of Uchina-guchi surviving into the future, but indicated that official languages “Need to be something that everyone can converse in.” The petition to make the language official is also being submitted to the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, and the Prefectural government will continue to investigate this topic as it follows the discourse in the assembly.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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