Another great phrase to help learn Samoan pronouns is the phrase O fea o (fill in the blank) and then i ai
Which basically means “where is she at, where are we at, where are they at?”.
But it depends on the pronoun you’re using.
O fea…a lot of times you’ll just hear fea which means “where”.
O is the present tense marker that’s short for o lo’o
Remember o’ lo’o if you add to any verb it’s going to making the verb present tense and happening right now:
tamo’e ….O lo’o tamo’e
savali…. O lo’o savali
i ai ….. O lo’o i ai
But in this phrase O lo’o is usually shorted to just “O”
this is where you put your pronoun. These are the pronouns that go before the verb
In Samoan there are pronouns that go before the verb and those same pronouns are stated a different way when stated after a verb
So it’s a good idea to memorize how to say both sets
and i ai just means to be or exist.
So you can practice your pronouns by just substituting who you’re looking for in the blank
A common one you’ll hear is O fea o ‘e i ai?
O fea o tatou i ai?
O fea o latou i ai?
Just plug in the pronoun of who you’re looking for
If you want to change the tense to say, “Where were you”, then of course we just change the tense marker from present tense “o” to a past tense marker like sa…O fea sa e i ai.
| Pronoun Before a Verb | Pronoun After a Verb | Translation |
| ou | a’u | I, me |
| ‘e | ‘oe | You |
| ia, na | o ia | her, him, it |
| ma | i ma’ua | us (dual exclusive) |
| ta | i ta’ua | us (dual inclusive) |
| la | i la’ua | they (dual) |
| lua | oulua | You (dual) |
| matou | i matou | us, we (3+ inclusive) |
| tatou | i tatou | us, we (3+ inclusive) |
| latou | i latou | they (3+) |
| tou | outou | You (3+) |
In the Samoan language, pronouns play a crucial role in communication, particularly when distinguishing between emphatic and descriptive pronouns. Understanding the differences between these two types of pronouns and how they are used can significantly enhance one’s ability to speak and comprehend Samoan effectively. This essay delves into the distinct features of emphatic and descriptive pronouns, their functions, and examples of their usage in Samoan.
Emphatic Pronouns
Definition and Purpose:
Emphatic pronouns in Samoan are used to place emphasis on the subject or object of a sentence. They highlight the importance or focus on a particular person or thing, often used for clarification, contrast, or emphasis.
Formation:
In Samoan, emphatic pronouns often follow verbs or prepositions to stress the identity of the subject or object. They can stand alone for emphasis or be used in conjunction with other words to draw attention to a specific element in the sentence.
Examples:
- Ia te a’u: Me (emphatically)
- Ua ou faia ia te au lava. (I did it myself.)
- Here, “ia te au” emphasizes that the action was performed by the speaker personally.
- Ia te ‘oe: You (emphatically)
- E tatau ia te oe le galuega lea. (This job is up to you.)
- In this example, “ia te oe” stresses that the responsibility lies with the listener.
Usage in Context:
Emphatic pronouns are often used in situations where the speaker wants to underscore a particular point, either to distinguish one person or thing from another or to add intensity to the statement.
Descriptive Pronouns
Definition and Purpose:
Descriptive pronouns in Samoan describe or identify the subject or object without the added emphasis found in emphatic pronouns. They serve as a straightforward reference to people or things and are used to provide clarity or avoid repetition.
Formation:
Descriptive pronouns are typically placed before verbs to indicate the subject of the action. They form part of the basic sentence structure and help in identifying who is performing the action or who is being referred to.
Examples:
- O ia: He/She
- O ia o lo’u uso. (He is my brother.)
- In this sentence, “o ia” simply identifies the subject without any added emphasis.
- E te: You (singular)
- E te alu i le a’oga. (You are going to school.)
- Here, “e te” is a descriptive pronoun indicating the subject of the verb “alu” (go).
Usage in Context:
Descriptive pronouns are used in everyday conversation to refer to people or things in a straightforward manner. They are essential for constructing clear and concise sentences, especially when the emphasis is not required.
Comparison and Contrast
Function:
- Emphatic Pronouns: Used to add emphasis or stress to the subject or object, often for clarification or contrast.
- Descriptive Pronouns: Used to identify or describe the subject or object without added emphasis, providing clear reference within the sentence.
Position in Sentence:
- Emphatic Pronouns: Typically follow verbs or prepositions and can stand alone for emphasis.
- Descriptive Pronouns: Usually precede verbs, forming part of the basic sentence structure.
Context of Use:
- Emphatic Pronouns: Employed in contexts where the speaker needs to highlight a particular person or thing, often to distinguish or add intensity.
- Descriptive Pronouns: Used in everyday conversation to refer to subjects or objects plainly and clearly.
Examples in Use:
- Emphatic: Ua ‘ou faia ia te au lava. (I did it myself.)
- Descriptive: O ia o lo’u uso. (He is my brother.)
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between emphatic and descriptive pronouns in Samoan is essential for effective communication. Emphatic pronouns are used to place emphasis on specific elements within a sentence, often adding clarity or intensity, while descriptive pronouns provide straightforward identification of subjects or objects. Mastery of these pronouns allows speakers to convey their messages more precisely and appropriately, reflecting the nuanced nature of the Samoan language. Whether emphasizing a point or simply describing a subject, knowing when and how to use these pronouns is key to fluency in Samoan.
