Caption: Someone pointed out to me that when you’re reading Samoan in order to translate it, you often have to start in the middle, then go back to the front for it to make sense. That’s because in English we typically start our sentences with the subject. In Samoan, we don’t usually start with the subject. The subject usually comes after the action or description.
You know how they say, just read the tusi pa’ia if you want to learn the language. Well most of the tusi pa’ia is written this way.
Who or what are we talking about (our subject),
What are we saying about them (their action or the way we describe them)
and are we talking in the past present or future
So an exercise you can do, is to translate you a list of nouns and pronouns, these are your subjects. Translate you a list of action words or descriptive words,
then get you a list of tense markers. Tense markers in Samoan put the entire sentence in past, present, or future tense.
For the purpose of this exercise, we’re going to make our subject singular, so let’s add the “le” before our subject. Le is the equivalent to “the” and makes it singular.
*So sorry, the cards are temporarily out of stock. Feel free to download the Sentence Structure Worksheets attached to the lessons.
In Samoan, constructing short statements involves a combination of tense markers, action phrases, and subject phrases. This essay delves into the structure and significance of this combination, exploring how each component contributes to the clarity and meaning of short statements in Samoan conversation.
Understanding the Components:
- Tense Marker: Tense markers in Samoan indicate the timeframe in which an action occurs. Samoan has markers for past (na), present (e or ua), and future (o or lē).
- Action Phrase: The action phrase encompasses the verb and any associated words that describe the action being performed. It provides the central element of the statement, conveying what is happening.
- Subject Phrase: The subject phrase identifies the person or thing performing the action. It provides context and specificity to the statement, indicating who or what the action relates to.
Structure of Short Statements:
Short statements in Samoan typically follow a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. However, in some cases, the subject and object may be omitted if they are understood from the context. The tense marker, action phrase, and subject phrase combine to form concise and coherent statements.
Examples:
- Present Tense Statement:
- Ua ta’ele ‘o le aso. (The day is ending.)
- Ua indicates present tense.
- Ta’ele is the action phrase meaning “to end.”
- ‘O le aso is the subject phrase meaning “the day.”
- Past Tense Statement:
- Na ‘ava le fale. (The house was built.)
- Na indicates past tense.
- ‘Ava is the action phrase meaning “to build.”
- Le fale is the subject phrase meaning “the house.”
- Future Tense Statement:
- O le tama e alu i le fale o lo’o fiafia. (The boy will go to the house and be happy.)
- O indicates future tense.
- Alu is the action phrase meaning “to go.”
- O le tama is the subject phrase meaning “the boy.”
Significance of Each Component:
- Tense Marker:
- Tense markers provide temporal context, indicating when the action takes place. They help listeners understand the timeframe of the statement and interpret its relevance.
- Action Phrase:
- The action phrase is the core of the statement, conveying the activity being performed. It drives the narrative forward and shapes the meaning of the statement.
- Subject Phrase:
- Subject phrases identify the agent of the action, clarifying who or what is involved. They anchor the statement in reality and provide specificity to the narrative.
Cultural Implications:
Short statements in Samoan reflect cultural values such as clarity, directness, and respect for context. The concise structure allows for efficient communication, while the emphasis on tense markers and subject phrases underscores the importance of temporal and relational context in Samoan conversation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the combination of tense markers, action phrases, and subject phrases forms the backbone of short statements in Samoan. Each component contributes to the clarity, meaning, and cultural resonance of the statement, allowing for effective communication in Samoan conversation. By understanding the structure and significance of this combination, learners of Samoan can navigate language with confidence and precision, enriching their interaction with Samoan speakers and culture.
