Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 8, 1 Iulai 1980 — KA 'OLELO MAKUA [ARTICLE]

KA 'OLELO MAKUA

Hawaiian Language Lessons

Some subscribers to Ke Alahou may have a limited ability to read and understand Hawaiian. The editors o f ", Alahou have decided to help by offering some clues to reading and understanding Hawaiian. This issue's lesson deals with understanding pronouns used in Hawaiian. Pronouns: In English, the number of people referred to in pronouns is usually understood. Ex.; They will go to the store. It could be implied that there are two or more people, but really how many? If this was a complete conversation probably the number of people referred to would have been known from the beginning. In Hawaiian, the number of people referred to is made known through the term used. There is one slight draw back as compared to English: there are mpre terms. The major clue in Hawaiian to the preeiseness of the terms is related to the numbers two (lua) and three (kohi). The terms for I, you he v she and it (denoting one person) are not related to any number. (1) Wflii-'au (we-2) kaua {we-3 +) Kakou maua makou (you) *oe (you-2) *o!ua fyou-3+)'*oukou (he'she'it) 'oia (they-2) faua (they-3+) lakou Those terms denoting only two people (2) end with

"ua" while those of three or more (3+) end with "kou. " Notiqe there four terms for "we" in Hawaiian. Again this is tp help clarify how many people are involved. Terms beginning with "ka-" are 'Inclusive." All participants are involved to make up "we." Terms begnning with "ma-" are "exclusive" - that means someone is being left out of "we." For example, if there are two people talking, then the "we" to be used * £ aua - (ex.: lick kaua ika home -We should go home). If a friend joins the conversation, then the original two people might say, "Ike maua ia oe. We saw you." If another friend appears, then the three migl say, '"Ike inakou ia 'qe. We say you." At the end all mbjht say, "Hole kdkou i ka home. We should all go home," Notice all the "we" pronouns in Hawaiian begin with either km. Those "ygu" pronouns begin with 'o and the "they" pronouns begin with "I." Practice: 'Ai wau.au. I am eating; Nana l&koa, They (3+) looked; Nana kajkou. Wd[3-f) looked; Noho laua. They (2) sat; Noho makou,fWe (3+) sat; Heie *ofa. Ho loft: Hrle 'oe. You go; Mjika'i ivau'au. I aiu. finr: Pohoa \>t\ How arc you? Pehea 'aukou. How are vrfu (3+)? \ ! I