Reinecke, John E. (1904–1982)

Abstract

A pioneer in pidgin and creole studies, John E. Reinecke was relatively alone and isolated in promoting the study of Hawaiian Creole English (HCE) and other ‘marginal languages.’ In line with his involvement with the Hawaiian labor movement, Reinecke advocated the elevation of pidgins and creoles to the status of proper scientific object, just as he felt workers should be given their proper due. Reinecke's work on creole languages was interrupted by a long break of twenty years when he was banned from teaching because of his political activities.