In Samoan, possessive pronouns are used to indicate ownership or association, and they differ based on whether the possession is singular or plural. Two commonly used singular possessive pronouns are “lau” and “lou.” When referring to plural ownership, the “l” is dropped from these words, turning “lau” into “au” and “lou” into “ou.” This distinction is essential for accurately conveying whether something belongs to one person or more than one person.
Singular vs. Plural Possessive Pronouns
In Samoan, “lau” and “lou” are used to express possession by a singular person. However, when you need to refer to possession by multiple people, the plural forms are used—”au” for “lau” and “ou” for “lou.” The difference between these pronouns is subtle yet significant, as it affects the meaning of a sentence.
- Lau – Used to indicate possession of something singular by one person, typically for neutral or non-specific relationships or things. For example, you might use “lau” when referring to a non-intimate or non-inherent possession, such as “lau tusi” (your book).
- Lou – Similar to “lau,” but used for intimate or inherent relationships. For example, “lou tama” (your father) suggests a closer, more personal connection.
The plural equivalents, “au” and “ou,” follow the same pattern but refer to possession by multiple people.
- Au – The plural form of “lau.” It is used when referring to an object owned by more than one person in a neutral or non-specific relationship. For example, “au tusi” (your books) implies that the books belong to a group of people.
- Ou – The plural form of “lou.” This is used for more intimate possessions owned by multiple people. For example, “ou tamaiti” (your children) implies that the children belong to more than one person (e.g., parents).
The Role of Context in Samoan Possession
The distinction between “lau” and “lou”—and by extension, “au” and “ou”—lies not only in the number of people involved in the possession but also in the type of relationship being conveyed. Samoan culture values relationships and communal ties, which are often reflected in the language. The use of “lou” and “ou” tends to emphasize more intimate or inherent connections, such as family or close relationships, while “lau” and “au” are used for more neutral or less personal relationships.
Examples of Singular Possession:
- Lau tusi: This translates to “your book,” indicating that the book belongs to one person. In this case, the relationship to the book is neutral or non-inherent.
- Lou tama: This translates to “your father.” Here, “lou” indicates a personal and inherent connection, such as a family member.
Examples of Plural Possession:
- Au tusi: This translates to “your books,” implying that multiple people own the books. This is a plural form of “lau” and refers to the same neutral or non-inherent relationship, but with multiple owners.
- Ou tamaiti: This translates to “your children,” indicating that the children belong to more than one person (e.g., two parents). “Ou” conveys the close, intimate relationship of family, but in a plural sense.
How to Pluralize “Lau” and “Lou”
The rule for pluralizing “lau” and “lou” is simple: you drop the “l” to turn the word into “au” or “ou,” respectively. This transformation changes the meaning from singular possession to plural possession.
- Lau → Au: Drop the “l” to make “lau” (singular, neutral possession) plural, resulting in “au” (plural, neutral possession).
- Lau tusi (your book) becomes au tusi (your books, owned by multiple people).
- Lou → Ou: Similarly, dropping the “l” from “lou” (singular, intimate possession) forms “ou” (plural, intimate possession).
- Lou tama (your father) becomes ou tama (your fathers, implying multiple fathers or used figuratively to indicate multiple paternal figures).
Cultural Context of Possession in Samoan
In Samoan culture, relationships are often communal and familial, which is why distinctions between singular and plural possession are critical. “Lou” and “ou” are used for possessions that hold deeper emotional or relational significance, such as family members or important personal items, while “lau” and “au” are for more general or neutral belongings.
Conclusion
The distinction between “lau” and “lou” (and their plural counterparts “au” and “ou”) in Samoan is an essential part of expressing ownership and relationships in the language. Dropping the “l” to indicate plural ownership shifts the focus from individual possession to collective or group ownership, allowing speakers to reflect both the number of owners and the intimacy of the possession in question. Understanding this rule is key to mastering possessive pronouns in Samoan and ensuring that your meaning is clear in both singular and plural contexts.
