French translation of kanaka is 
kanaka

Meaning of "kanaka" in English

The word "kanaka" historically refers to a native Hawaiian or a Polynesian laborer, particularly in the 19th century in industries like sugar and cotton plantations. It can sometimes also encompass individuals originating from other islands in the Pacific Ocean. The usage of "kanaka" has historical and cultural implications and can be sensitive depending on the context. It’s essential to approach the term with awareness of its historical background and the people it represents.

Meaning of "kanaka" in French

In the French language, "kanaka" denotes a person of indigenous Melanesian heritage, especially associated with New Caledonia. Historically, it referred to the indigenous people from the islands in the South Pacific, including Polynesian and Melanesian communities. As in English, the term holds cultural significance, and its use should be sensitive to historical contexts involving colonization and the rights of native peoples. Employing the term requires an understanding of its potential social and cultural nuances.

Pronunciation of "kanaka" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /kəˈnɑːkə/

Pronunciation Variations: There are minimal dialectical variations in the pronunciation of "kanaka" across different English-speaking regions. It is generally pronounced as /kəˈnɑːkə/ in standard English.

Pronunciation of "kanaka" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ka.na.ka/

Pronunciation Variations: In French, there are few variations in pronunciation. The term is typically articulated uniformly as /ka.na.ka/, with slight accents or intonations possible based on regional French dialects.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. The kanaka worked tirelessly in the fields. (Le kanaka a travaillé sans relâche dans les champs.)
2. Many kanaka people have settled in urban areas. (Beaucoup de kanakas se sont installés dans les zones urbaines.)
3. The history of kanaka labor is essential to understand the region's development. (L'histoire du travail kanaka est essentielle pour comprendre le développement de la région.)
4. A kanaka village was situated by the coast. (Un village kanaka était situé sur la côte.)
5. The festival celebrated the rich culture of the kanaka. (Le festival célébrait la riche culture des kanakas.)
6. Kanaka dialects vary across the islands. (Les dialectes kanakas varient à travers les îles.)
7. She learned traditional dances from the kanaka children. (Elle a appris des danses traditionnelles des enfants kanakas.)
8. The museum featured exhibits on kanaka craftsmanship. (Le musée présentait des expositions sur l'artisanat kanaka.)
9. The kanaka community organized a cultural event. (La communauté kanaka a organisé un événement culturel.)
10. He wrote a book about the life of the kanaka people. (Il a écrit un livre sur la vie du peuple kanaka.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "kanaka" in English

Synonyms: Hawaiian, Polynesian, Melanesian, native islander.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: islander, laborer, native, indigenous person.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "kanaka" in French

Synonyms: Mélanésien, Néo-calédonien, indigène, autochtone.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: insulaire, travailleur, personne indigène, natif.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.