TAHITIAN GRAMMAR

The Alphabet
In Tahitian language there are :
  • 5 x vowels  (VAUERA) : A – E – I – O – U
  • 8 x consonants (PIRI VAUERA) : F H M N P R T V 
‘ETA :
It is a diacritic glottal occlusive sign that transcribes vocal sounds. 
It only happens on vowels (never on consonants).
Example : ‘A ‘E ‘I ‘O ‘U
 
TĀRAVA :
Same as the ‘ETA , it transcribes vocal sounds.
Example  : Ā  Ē  Ī  Ō  Ū
 
Combined : 
Example of ‘ETA + TĀRAVA  : ‘Ā  ‘Ē  ‘Ī  ‘Ō  ‘Ū

Alphabet

Reo Tahiti

Singular pronouns
There are 3 categories of personal pronoun : 
  • Singular
  • Duel : for 2 people in the conversation
  • Plural
Grammar formula : Verbal particle + Verb + Subject + I + TE + Common noun
 
Singular pronouns :
 
For the first person : AU / VAU
  • AU   : used when the word before is ending with one of the vowels : I or E
  • VAU : used in other cases (the word before is not ending with one of theses vowels : I or E)
For the second person : ‘OE
 
For the third person (she or he) : ‘OIA / ‘ŌNA
 
Dual pronouns :
 
  • TĀUA  : you and me ;  both of us
  • MĀUA : both of us ;  she/he and me. 
  • ‘ŌRUA : you two.  The interlocutor is not included in the action.
  • RĀUA  : two persons. The persons that talks to each other are not included in the action.

Singular pronouns

Reo Tahiti

Demonstrative pronouns and nonverbal sentences
Demonstrative pronouns : 
 
Standard Grammar formula : TE + Common noun
 
The Tahitian language has 3 invariable demonstrative pronouns : TEIE ; TENĀ ; TERĀ
 
  • TEIE   : point out a target/object that is near the interlocutor
  • TENĀ : point out a target/object that is near the other person that the interlocutor is talking to
  • TERĀ  : point out a target/object that is far from both person that are talking to each other
Nonverbal sentences :  
Use of the inclusive particle : E 
 
Grammar formula : E + Common noun
Another way :  E + Common noun + Demonstrative pronoun

Demonstrative pronouns

Reo Tahiti

Verbs
Transitive verb :
It contains a direct object.
We can find them by questionning ourselves with : Who ? or What ?
 
Grammar formula :  ‘UA + Verb + Subject + I + TE + Common noun
 
Intransitive verb :

It doesn’t contain a direct object. The action does not occurs on the object.

Grammar formula :  ‘UA + Verb + Subject

 
Stative verb :
It express a state ; a condition or a quality.
 
Grammar formula :  ‘UA + Verb + Subject
 
Nominal verbs :
It depends of the sentence, it can be a common noun or a verb that express the use of an object.
 
Grammar formula :  ‘UA + Verb + Subject + I + TE  + Common noun
Verbal particle : 'UA
Grammar formula :  Verbal predicate + Subject + I + TE + Common noun
 
The verbal particle ‘UA can express one of theses tenses : past perfect tense ;  present ; futur perfect tense
 
  • Past perfect tense :
By default, ‘UA is mean to be for past perfect tense 
 
  • Present tense :
‘UA + Common noun
‘UA + Adjective [+ Subject ]
 
  • Futur perfect tense :
It comes with an circumstantial complement of time.
Example : ANANAHI (tomorrow) , ‘UA + Verb +Subject
Verbal particle : TĒ
Beware to not mix-up : TĒ != TE 
 
TĒ is used with adverbs like : NEI or RA
 
Present perfect or usual actions :
The action takes place at the moment that the interlocutor is talking.
 
Grammar formula :  TĒ + Verb + NEI + Subject + I + TE + Common noun
 
Past progressive :
 
Grammar formula :  TĒ + Verb + RA + Subject + I + TE + Common noun
Verbal particle : E
Futur tense :
The verbal particle E is always before the verb.
 
Grammar formula : E + Verb + Sujet + I + TE + Common noun
 
It can express usual actions :
 
Grammar formula : E + Verb + TE + Common noun + I + TE + Common noun
Verbal particle : 'A
It can express an order :
 
Grammar formula :  ‘A + Verb + I + TE + Common noun
 
Note :  there is no need for a Subject in the sentence because the order is given directly to the person that you are talking to.
 
It can express a risk :
 
Grammar formula :  ‘A + Common noun [ + I ]+ TE + Common noun
Another way :  ‘A + Verb + TE + Common noun + IA + Subject
Information

Information

I Just want to be clear and honest with you guys : I am NOT A Teacher !
I am learning like you guys : REO TAHITI   :)