‘Oku mohe ‘a e tamasi‘í
riki wrote:Now, if the boy is being 'focussed', does that mean it would be more correct to say in English (for translation means) the boy is sleeping there?
riki wrote:I'm just trying to augment the explanation that you have of the Tongan language in to what I know is applicable for Māori (NZ and CI).
riki wrote:Btw about 'fonua' taking the article.
All the nouns which have been described as 'self defining', come under the 'locatives' category for NZ Māori and CI Māori. Locatives do not take articles, and if they do, it alters the meaning of the locative base. For example -
Mai runga (NZ Māori) and Mei runga (CI Māori) which translate as 'from above'. It could be explained, that you don't say in English 'from the above' and hence there are no articles used with locative bases (this would only apply to NZ Māori and CI Māori).
But to say 'from the land' (in terms of direction) it would have to be said - mai te whenua / mei te `enua. This is because the base word 'whenua/`enua' is not a locative base
Where is this "there" coming from? The focus marker here just denotes what would be the subject in an equivalent English construction. In other paradigms it could denote the object. But still I don't understand why you put that "there".
I wouldn't do that if I was you. Tongan seems much more distinctive than Eastern Polynesian languages and such comparisons could confuse you rather than help you
I am not quite sure if I understood this question.
ego wrote:Aleco wrote:ego wrote:Aleco wrote:I am waiting for more, Ego
Hmm?
Still waiting...
Waiting? Have you been studying Tongan? Have you studied everything already? How come you haven't told me? I want proofs
Aleco wrote:ego wrote:Aleco wrote:ego wrote:Aleco wrote:I am waiting for more, Ego
Hmm?
Still waiting...
Waiting? Have you been studying Tongan? Have you studied everything already? How come you haven't told me? I want proofs
I am trying to learn the grammar and sentence building the most So, I can use my Niuean dictionary too
ego wrote:Aleco wrote:Yeah, I know There is some grammar at the front, but some of that advanced English is Greek to me (ironic )
Tongan: ‘Oku ou inu
Niuean: Kua au inu
Aha.. well, seems quite different, more than I thought
Yes, particulary this sentence... But I am a bit confused about this present tense marker... Idon't know if it is the present tense it stands for :S I Hav seen it for bort past and present tense... Let me find another example Without tense marker ... (Even though the sentence would be wrong )
Tongan: Ke folau ki Tonga
Niuean: Koe folau ki Toga
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