06.06 Grammar
This is a very important lesson!
Up to now you’ve been learning HOW to describe what you are talking about (if something is plural or singular and if it does belong to someone, who it belongs to). Since this is an online course and you have no specific teacher interaction, we have presented ‘Where is’ or ‘Where are’ questions to give you an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in liu of a teacher. In this lesson we will teach you arguably the most important question in learning a language: What is this?
What is this? is the question children ask about everything. They are unfamiliar with the world around them and this question gets them answers. After learning how to say: What is this or what is that? you will become more fluent and expand your vocabulary much quicker if you begin asking Samoan speakers this question and pointing to what you want to know. It will give you an opportunity to speak with new people. It’s an easy and effective way to start using your language, because it requires very little from the person being asked and greatly benefits the one asking. it will also build your confidence to speak your language.
Use O le a le mea… to ask what is this/that thing …
To say this (near me) use lea at the end of the question.
O le a le mea lea?
What is this thing (near me)?
To say what is that (near you) use lena at the end of the question.
O le a le mea lena?
What is that thing (near you)?
To say over there away from us both use lela at the end of the question.
O le a le mea lela?
What is that thing over there?
To respond to this question use O le followed by the object
O le a le mea lea?
What is this thing?
O le tusi.
a book. (literal: the book)
Making it plural
To make it plural, it is the same as previous lessons, drop the le. Use O a mea… to ask what are these/those things…
To identify which things your are referring use the plural forms of this and that.
To say these (near me) use ia
O a mea ia?
What are these things?
To say those (near you) use na
O a mea na?
What are those things?
To say those (over there away from us both) use la
O a mea la?
What are those things over there?
Compare the Singular and Plural examples:
Singular
O le a le mea lea?
What is this thing?
Plural
O a mea ia?
What are these things?
To respond use O followed by the object.
O le a le mea lea?
What is this thing?
O le gata.
A snake.
O a mea ia?
What are these things?
O meataalo.
Toys.
To respond and show ownership use the following:
O le fill in an object a fill in a person – if object is singular and alienable
O lea le mea lea?
What is this thing?
O le tusi a Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s book (literal: The book belonging to Elizabeth)
O fill in objects a fill in a person -if object is plural and alienable
O a mea na?
What are those things?
O pusi a George.
George’s cats.
If using a word to describe the object (adjective)
ex: sharp, dull, blue, small – place it after the noun.
[O le (object) (adjective) a (person)]
[O le mealofa tele a Ryan]
It is Ryan’s big gift