Translating Moana

Se’i e va’ai mai, i le tatou lalolagi / Take a look at our world

Breaking It Down:

1. Se’i:
   • is a tense marker and the tense is right now but the tense marker itself, even though it’s right now and immediate…it softens the command. It’s a polite way to tell you what to do
   •  saying “Would you kindly…” or “Please take a look.”
2. E:
   • This is the subject pronoun for “you.” It’s pointing to the person being asked to do something.
3. Va’ai:
   • This is the verb and means “to look” or “to see.”
4. Mai:
   • This means “towards me/us” and emphasizes the direction of the action. It’s like saying, “Look here” or “Look at us.”
5. I le tatou:
   • “I” is a preposition meaning “at” or “in.”
   • “Le” is the definite article “the.”
   • “Tatou” and Matou means “us”.   But when you say le tatou or le matou it means our
6. Lalolagi:
   • This means “world.” or literally under the sky 

Putting It All Together:

• Se’i e va’ai mai = “Please, take a look here.”
• I le tatou lalolagi = “At our world.”

Understanding the T-SALT Sentence Structure in Samoan: A Descriptive Approach

Samoan, like many Polynesian languages, has a flexible yet organized structure for constructing sentences. Among these structures, the T-SALT format—Tense-Subject pronoun, Action, Location, Time—is a key framework for descriptive statements. Unlike emphatic sentence structures that prioritize emotional or rhetorical impact, T-SALT focuses on clear, factual communication. This format is particularly useful for providing context in everyday descriptions, making it an essential tool for Samoan speakers.

Breaking Down the T-SALT Structure

Let’s look at the components of T-SALT:

1. Tense:
   The sentence begins with a tense marker to establish when the action takes place. Common tense markers include:
   • ‘O le’a: Future tense (e.g., will happen).
   • Na: Past tense (e.g., happened).
   • E: Present or habitual tense (e.g., is happening or happens regularly).
   These markers immediately clarify the timeline of the action, setting the stage for the rest of the sentence.
2. Subject Pronoun:
   In T-SALT, the subject is always a pronoun. Examples include:
   • Ou (I), ‘Oe (You), Ia (He/She/It), Tatou (We, inclusive), and Latou (They).
     The use of pronouns instead of nouns keeps the sentence concise and directly points to who or what is performing the action.
3. Action:
   The action comes next and is expressed as a verb. The verb follows the subject pronoun to describe what the subject is doing.
4. Location:
   The location is introduced with a preposition such as i (at, in) or i luga o (on top of). This provides spatial context for the action, allowing the listener to understand where the event is occurring.
5. Time:
   Finally, the sentence concludes with the time element, which gives temporal context. Words like anei (soon), anapo (last night), or i le taeao (in the morning) complete the thought.

T-SALT in Descriptive Sentences

The T-SALT structure is used primarily for descriptive purposes rather than emphatic expressions. It aims to relay information in a straightforward, factual manner, avoiding the dramatization or emotional weight associated with other sentence structures. This makes it ideal for storytelling, reporting events, or giving directions.

Example 1:

• Na ou savali i le malae ananafi.
  • Na = Past tense
  • Ou = I (subject pronoun)
  • Savali = Walked (action)
  • I le malae = At the field (location)
  • Ananafi = Yesterday (time)
    Translation: “I walked at the field yesterday.”

This sentence paints a clear picture of what happened, where it occurred, and when it took place. It is descriptive and avoids any emphasis on the emotional or rhetorical aspects of the event.

Example 2:

• ‘O le’a tatou ‘aiga i le fale taeao.
  • ‘O le’a = Future tense
  • Tatou = We (inclusive)
  • ‘Aiga = Eat (action)
  • I le fale = At the house (location)
  • Taeao = Tomorrow (time)
    Translation: “We will eat at the house tomorrow.”

Again, the sentence provides factual information about the plan without adding emotional weight.

T-SALT vs. Emphatic Structures

Unlike T-SALT, emphatic sentence structures in Samoan prioritize highlighting a specific element of the sentence, such as the subject or action. For example:

• ‘O a’u na savali i le malae ananafi.
  Translation: “It was I who walked at the field yesterday.”

This construction shifts the focus to the subject (“I”), making it emphatic. In contrast, T-SALT prioritizes neutrality and clarity, aiming to simply state what happened.

The Role of Pronouns in T-SALT

A distinguishing feature of the T-SALT structure is that the subject is always a pronoun. This keeps the sentence efficient and avoids unnecessary repetition. In descriptive contexts, pronouns help maintain a smooth flow, as the listener typically already knows who or what the sentence refers to.

Example:

• Na latou fa’aoga le ta’avale i le auala ananafi.
  • Latou (They) serves as the subject pronoun, keeping the focus on the action and details rather than elaborating on the specific individuals involved.

This use of pronouns makes T-SALT particularly effective in conversational Samoan, where brevity and clarity are valued.

Applications of T-SALT in Everyday Samoan

T-SALT sentences are versatile and used in various contexts:

1. Storytelling:
   • E alu ia i le maketi i aso uma.
     Translation: “He goes to the market every day.”
2. Directions:
   • ‘O le’a e liliu i le agavale i le auala tele.
     Translation: “You will turn left at the main road.”
3. Reports:
   • Na matou ta’alo i luga o le malae i le aoauli.
     Translation: “We played on the field in the afternoon.”

In each case, T-SALT provides a simple yet descriptive way to share information, keeping the focus on the facts rather than emotions or emphasis.

Conclusion

The T-SALT structure—Tense, Subject pronoun, Action, Location, Time—is a cornerstone of descriptive Samoan communication. By using pronouns for the subject, this framework allows for clear, concise, and factual sentences that are easy to understand. Whether recounting an event, giving directions, or sharing plans, T-SALT offers a straightforward way to organize information without unnecessary complexity or emotional weight. For learners of Samoan, mastering T-SALT is a gateway to effective and natural communication.