Only 13 letters in alphabet: Discover one of world’s shortest languages
Which country has an alphabet with just 13 letters (photo: Freepik)
Have you ever wondered why the Hawaiian language – ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi – sounds so melodic yet can be tricky to pronounce? The secret lies in its alphabet, one of the shortest in the world. Where we lack words, Hawaiians use the magic of apostrophes and accents.
IFL Science uncovers the secrets of the “Aloha” language and explains how a tiny set of letters can convey a universe of meaning.
Magic of 13 characters: when less means more
The Hawaiian alphabet consists of just 13 letters. For comparison, it is one of the shortest alphabets in the world – only the Rotokas language of Papua New Guinea beats it, with 12 letters.
What the Hawaiian language consists of:
- 5 vowels: A, E, I, O, U
- 8 consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the special ʻokina symbol
What are ʻOkina and Kahakō?
This is where the real magic begins. The ʻOkina (ʻ) is a full consonant that looks like an upside-down apostrophe. It represents a “glottal stop” – a sharp pause between sounds, similar to the exclamation “oh-oh!”
Alongside it, there’s the Kahakō (–), a horizontal line over a vowel that lengthens its sound.
Without these symbols, Hawaiian words can completely change meaning. For example:
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Aʻa – root;
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ʻaʻa – to dare or challenge;
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ʻaʻā – lava flow (or molten lava)
More than “hello”: the true meaning of Aloha
We are used to “Aloha” as a simple greeting. But for native Hawaiians, it’s a whole philosophy. Linguists say the word cannot be translated with a single term. It encompasses love, deep compassion, kindness, and a spiritual connection to every living being. Saying “Aloha” is sharing your breath and life energy.
Local place names can also surprise visitors. For instance, the plain near Kīlauea volcano is called Kukama-hua-kea. It may sound like a spell, but it’s simply a combination of the same 13 basic letters.
Tragedy and revival: how the language was banned because of sugar
Hawaiian originates from Polynesia and existed orally for centuries. It was only in the early 1800s that missionaries recorded it using the Latin alphabet. But the real disaster came at the end of the 19th century.
In 1893, a group of American and European businessmen overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy to seize the profitable sugar industry. The new authorities harshly suppressed the culture: Hawaiian was banned in schools and official institutions.
The result was catastrophic – by the 1980s, fewer than 50 children worldwide could speak Hawaiian fluently.
Modern times: a language brought back from the brink
Today, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is experiencing an incredible revival. Thanks to efforts by universities and the media, thousands of young people are learning their ancestors’ language once again.
Although still at risk, Hawaiian is now heard on the streets, in songs, and even on social media, proving that just 13 letters are enough to preserve the soul of an entire people.
Earlier, we shared where to find Ukraine’s oldest village with million-year history.
