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The

Marshall Islands

Guide

Language Introduction

Smithy Briand at the helm of the yacht Seal

Smithy Briand at the helm of the yacht Seal. Photo: Karen Earnshaw

Say it like Smithy

Speak a Little Marshallese

Like most cultures, ri-Majol (Marshallese people) love it if you at least try to wrap your mouth around their language, so below are a few words and phrases to get you going. The voice you will hear belongs to former Majuro Hospital employee Smithy Briand, who was happily 'kidnapped' from the Marshall Islands by Australian volunteer Virginia and now lives in New South Wales.

Tap any phrase to hear it. For more words, check out my basic Marshallese-English dictionary.

Greetings & goodbyes

The basics

Getting to know people

Shopping & opinions

Out and about

Recordings: Smithy Briand

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The Marshall Islands Journal

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Menu

Fact File

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Nauru Airlines

A Nauru Airlines plane in a hangar in Brisbane, Australia. Nauru Airlines serves Majuro twice

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The first President of the Marshall Islands was Amata Kabua, who served from 1979 to

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A Nauru Airlines plane in a hangar in Brisbane, Australia. Nauru Airlines serves Majuro twice

The RMI Presidents

The first President of the Marshall Islands was Amata Kabua, who served from 1979 to

Airport Info

After flying into Amata Kabua International Airport you have a number of transport options to

Country Information

Climate: The year-round average daily temperature is 80.4 degrees Fahrenheit. While generally hot, cooling northeast