In the Samoan language, like in many others, the words for “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” are essential for pointing out and specifying objects and people in conversation. These words function as both determiners and adjectives, helping to provide clarity and specificity in communication. This essay explores the usage and formation of these terms in Samoan, providing examples and context for their use as both determiners and adjectives.
Understanding Demonstratives in Samoan
In Samoan, demonstratives are used to indicate specific items in relation to the speaker and listener’s position. They help to clarify which items are being referred to, whether they are near or far from the speaker or listener. The primary demonstratives in Samoan are:
- Lenei – This (near the speaker)
- Lena – That (near the listener)
- Lela – That (far from both the speaker and listener)
- Nei – These (near the speaker)
- Nā – Those (near the listener)
- Nailā – Those (far from both the speaker and listener)
These demonstratives can function as both determiners and adjectives, depending on their placement and usage in a sentence.
Demonstratives as Determiners
When used as determiners, these demonstratives precede the noun they modify, specifying which particular item or items are being referred to. This usage helps to provide context and clarity, ensuring that the listener knows exactly which object or person is being discussed.
Examples:
- Lenei (this)
- Lenei tusi – This book
- Here, lenei specifies that the book being referred to is near the speaker.
- Fa’amolemole, aumai lenei ipu. – Please, bring this cup.
- In this sentence, lenei is used to specify which cup should be brought, indicating its proximity to the speaker.
- Lena (that)
- Lena tusi – That book (near the listener)
- Lena indicates that the book is near the listener rather than the speaker.
- Tā’ele lena tamaitiiti. – Bathe that child.
- Here, lena points out a specific child near the listener who should be bathed.
- Lela (that over there)
- Lela fale – That house (far from both)
- Lela is used to indicate that the house is far from both the speaker and the listener.
- Maimoā lela mauga. – Look at that mountain.
- This sentence uses lela to direct attention to a distant mountain.
- Nei (these)
- Nei peni – These pens
- Nei specifies multiple pens near the speaker.
- Fa’amaumau nei pepa. – Use up these papers.
- In this sentence, nei indicates the papers close to the speaker that should be used.
- Nā (those)
- Nā tusi – Those books (near the listener)
- Nā refers to multiple books near the listener.
- Saini nā pepa. – Sign those documents.
- Here, nā specifies the documents near the listener that need to be signed.
- Nailā (those over there)
- Nailā fale – Those houses (far from both)
- Nailā indicates multiple houses far from both the speaker and the listener.
- Fai se ata i nailā manu. – Take a picture of those birds.
- In this context, nailā directs attention to birds that are distant from both parties.
Demonstratives as Adjectives
When used as adjectives, Samoan demonstratives follow the noun they modify, adding descriptive detail to specify which items are being discussed. This usage helps to enhance the meaning of the noun by providing additional information about its location relative to the speaker and listener.
Examples:
- Lenei (this)
- Tusi lenei – This book
- Here, lenei follows the noun tusi, adding specificity.
- Umi le vasega lenei. – This class is long.
- In this sentence, lenei describes which class is being referred to, indicating it is near the speaker.
- Lena (that)
- Tusi lena – That book (near the listener)
- Lena follows the noun to specify which book is near the listener.
- Puupuu le vasega lena. – That class is short.
- This sentence uses lena to describe a class near the listener.
- Lela (that over there)
- Fale lela – That house (far from both)
- Lela follows the noun fale to indicate its distant location.
- Lalelei le vao lela. – That forest is beautiful.
- Here, lela describes the distant forest.
- Nei (these)
- Peni nei – These pens
- Nei follows peni to specify the pens near the speaker.
- Maua nei laulau. – These tables are new.
- This sentence uses nei to describe the tables near the speaker.
- Nā (those)
- Tusi nā – Those books (near the listener)
- Nā follows the noun to specify which books are near the listener.
- Tetele na fale. – Those houses are big.
- Here, nā describes the houses near the listener.
- Nailā (those over there)
- Fale nailā – Those houses (far from both)
- Nailā follows fale to indicate the houses far from both parties.
- Uumi na ala nailā. – Those roads are long.
- This sentence uses nailā to describe the distant roads.
Practical Usage in Sentences
To illustrate the usage of these demonstratives in full sentences, consider the following examples that show both determiner and adjective positions:
- Lenei (this) as a determiner:
- Lenei masini e fou. – This machine is new.
- Fa’amolemole, tilotilo i lenei pepa. – Please, look at this paper.
- Lenei (this) as an adjective:
- Masini lenei e fou. – This machine is new.
- Pepa lenei e taua. – This paper is important.
- Lena (that) as a determiner:
- Lena ato e lapo’a. – That bag is big.
- Ia avatu lena ipu i le tamāloa. – Give that cup to the man.
- Lena (that) as an adjective:
- Ato lena e lapo’a. – That bag is big.
- Ipu lena e fou. – That cup is new.
- Lela (that over there) as a determiner:
- Lela ta’avale e taugata. – That car is expensive.
- Fai atu i le tama’i tama e sau mai lela fale. – Tell the boy to come from that house.
- Lela (that over there) as an adjective:
- Ta’avale lela e taugata. – That car is expensive.
- Fale lela e ma’aleale. – That house is fragile.
- Nei (these) as a determiner:
- Nei ata e matagofie. – These pictures are beautiful.
- Fa’atau nei tusi. – Buy these books.
- Nei (these) as an adjective:
- Ata nei e matagofie. – These pictures are beautiful.
- Tusi nei e fou. – These books are new.
- Nā (those) as a determiner:
- Nā pepe e leaga. – Those children are naughty.
- Taa’i nā polo. – Kick those balls.
- Nā (those) as an adjective:
- Pepe nā e leaga. – Those children are naughty.
- Polo nā e lapo’a. – Those balls are big.
- Nailā (those over there) as a determiner:
- Nailā tusi e mamafa. – Those books are heavy.
- Fa’aoga nailā i’a mo le taumafataga. – Use those fish for the meal.
- Nailā (those over there) as an adjective:
- Tusi nailā e mamafa. – Those books are heavy.
- I’a nailā e manaia. – Those fish are nice.
Conclusion
In the Samoan language, the demonstratives “lenei,” “lena,” “lela,” “nei,” “nā,” and “nailā” are used to specify objects and people based on their proximity to the speaker and listener. These words function both as determiners, preceding nouns to clarify which items are being referred to, and as adjectives, following nouns to provide descriptive detail. Mastering the use of these demonstratives is crucial for clear and effective communication in Samoan, allowing speakers to convey precise information about the location and identity of various
