Chapter 14: Location and Direction Flashcards
In what two positions do location adverb phrases occur?
- In non-verbal sentences, the location phrase is often placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Tei rotopu te tavana ‘i te hui ra’atira.
The chief is among his people.
Tei rapae te mau p e’ue
The mats are outside. - In verbal sentences, the location phrase is normally found after the verb.
’Ua rere te manureva nā raro roa.
The airplane flew very low.
What does ‘i often become in non-verbal sentences?
‘i becomes tei.
When the future tense is indicated, what does tei become?
tei becomes ‘ei
‘i raro ā’e
under
‘i raro
low down
nā raro
low, low down
‘i ni’a ā’e
above
nā ni’a ā’e
above
‘i ni’a iho
on, upon
‘i piha’i iho
beside
‘i roto
in, into, inside
nā roto
from in, from inside
‘i ropu
in the middle
‘i rotopu
among
nā ropu
between
‘i rapae
outside
‘i muri mai
behind, at the back of
nā muri mai
behind
‘i mua
to the front
‘i mua mai
in front of, at the front
nā mua mai
in front of
‘i ‘onei
here
‘e tae noa ātu
as far as
‘e ‘ati noa ā’e
around
mai
from (with various uses)
nō
from (a person)
‘i, ‘ei, tei
in, at, to
What is the first series of directionals in Tahitian, and what do they accompany?
mai - towards the speaker
ātu - away from the speaker
ai - movement
They accompany verbs.
What must every verb of movement be accompanied by if the verb refers to a person as a direct or indirect object?
A directional particle, either mai or ātu.
What is the usual formula for a phrase of direction in Tahitian?
+ verb +/- [mai or ātu] +/- ai
Translate the following into an example of an ātu sentence. “You will speak to them.”
’E parau ātu ’oe ’ia rātou.
Translate the following into an example of a mai sentence. “You will speak to me.”
’E parau mai ’oe ’ia’u.1
What is another directional use of mai?
It may also be used to indicate movement towards the focal point of the sentence, although away from the speaker.
Let us suppose that two people are talking and that the first person has said.
’E päpa’i ätu vau ’ia ’oe ‘i te rata.
I shall write you a letter.
In reply to this, the second person might say, “And I shall write you a letter too”, in Tahitian:
’E papa ‘i mai vau ’ia ’oe ‘i te rata.
And I shall write you a letter.
In such a case, the focus or principal object of the second sentence is “you”, thus requiring mai rather than ätu, indicating movement towards the focal point rather than away from the speaker.
How is ai used with a phrase of direction?
It is a directional indicating movement of any type or movement towards a consequence, ai is used when the verb itself is preceded by any adverbial phrase denoting present or future time, location, or situation, without reference to person.
‘i te hora pae ’e haere ai vau ‘i te ’oire.
At five o’clock I shall go to town
What is the second series of directional phrases in Tahitian and what do they accompany?
nei - near the speaker
na - near the one addressed
ra - far from the speaker
They accompany nouns and sometimes verbs.
What is the temporal aspect of nei?
It has overtones of present time.
What is the temporal aspect of na?
It indicates that the object is near the one addressed in both space and time, whether past or present.
Reminder: na is also used with the imperative.
What is the temporal aspect of ra?
The object is far from the speaker in space and time.
‘i te matamua ra - in the beginning.
How else may nei, na, and ra be used?
As tense formatives.
When nei, na, and ra accompany verbs, what is the usual emphasis?
With verbs, nei, na, and ra emphasize space.
‘i uta
landward
towards the interior/land.
’E ta’oto te mau ta’ata ‘i uta ‘i te fa’a.
The men will sleep at the bottom of the valley.
‘i tai
seaward
’Ua painu te mau mā’a ha’ari ;i tai.
The coconuts drifted towards the open sea.
