(k)Note.—The student will sometimes find that the simple root is used with a similar variation of meaning; e. g.Waha,to carry on the back; e waha,get on my back.He paipa hei puru mo taku tupeka,a pipe to plug my tobacco: into which to plug my tobacco.Te waka e to na,the canoe that is dragged up there.Te rakau e pou na,the stake that is fixed there.Kei tehea whare nga tangata? Kei te whare e ngiha mai na,In which house are the people? In the house that burns; i. e.in the house in which the lights burn.Kei tetaote kai,food is being cooked (in the oven.)Sentences, however, like the last of these are mostly employed when emphasis and brevity are desired more than accuracy.
(k)Note.—The student will sometimes find that the simple root is used with a similar variation of meaning; e. g.
Sentences, however, like the last of these are mostly employed when emphasis and brevity are desired more than accuracy.
§. 12. The verbal nouns also (for which vid. chap. 3 §. c.) experience considerable variations in meaning. They are in most cases formed from the passive voice of the root; and as the rules for their formation may be easily learned by comparing a few with their respective ground forms, it may perhaps be sufficient to give the nouns derived from the verbs of the last mentioned table:
Sometimes where it is desirable to make a distinction, on account of the greatness of the difference between the two branches of the same root, a different form will be adopted for each meaning; e. g.Wanaunga,is a relation: wanautanga,a birth: Kiteanga is the opportunity in which a thing may be seen; kitenga generally denotesthe act of seeing. Again, wahangais acarrying on the back, wahingaabreaking.
Sometimes where it is desirable to make a distinction, on account of the greatness of the difference between the two branches of the same root, a different form will be adopted for each meaning; e. g.
§. 13.Neuter verbs.—On these but few remarks are required. For the distinction between the prepositioni, by which they are followed, and the particlei, which follows active verbs, vid.i(prepositions, §. 10, note.)
That they sometimes take the passive form may be seen in the illustrations of the passive voice. In some cases also their passives change their nature, and become similar in meaning to the passives of active verbs; e. g.
§. 14. As the participial adjectives may be most conveniently classed under this head, we shall insert here a table of the principal of them:—
§. 15. That we are correct in denominating such words, as the above, "participial adjectives," will appear from the consideration that they will assume the form of an adjective, or participle, according to the nature of the word by which they may be translated: thusmariemay be translatedquiet, and be considered an adjective; orpacified, and be considered a participle. Neither indeed will it appear strange that an adjective should be found, in one language, exactly corresponding to a participle in another, if we only reflect on the origin of the following adjectives of the English;exact,competent,complete,perfect,correspondent,&c.,&c.
Like adjectives, these words will assume the form of a verb, when in connexion with the verbal participles. Indeed, (as we have already observed,) our impression is, that, the more we examine, the more shall we be led to think that a genuine verb is by no means a common thing in Maori; and that substantives, adjectives, and other classes, are the fountains to which most of the verbs of the language may be traced.
[11]There are many things connected with this subject that will, no doubt, often appear strange to the European reader; and he will frequently have to be careful lest he be misled by theories derived from occidental grammars. In those languages the verb is a leading word in the sentence, and by it exclusively is the office of affirmation or predication performed.In Maori, on the contrary, a pure genuine verb is by no means of frequent occurrence: almost any word denoting a thing, or quality, is capable of sustaining that office; and predication is as frequently implied as expressed. In considering, therefore, the Maori verbs, we shall have to examine, not only those words which have been invested with the properties belonging to that class; but also those forms in which no mark of predication is expressed. The term predication we have adopted, for want of better, to denote those functions which are peculiar to the verb, and which are sometimes described by grammarians under the terms "affirmation" and "assertion."[12]We have adopted the term "sentence" in preference to "proposition," lest the student should be led into perplexity by conceiving that we used the termssimpleandcompoundin the same senses as those in which they are used by logicians.From our examples he will see that we should call a sentence simple, even though the subject and predicate be complex terms.By noticing whether, when the sentence is translated, one or two verbs are introduced, and whether either of them is dependent in time on the other, the student will easily make the distinction that we are desirous of establishing. The importance of this distinction will be seen in our examples of a compound sentence. For, in the firste-ana, which is present in a simple sentence, is now past; in the second,kuais future, though it strictly belongs to the past tense; in the fourth example this same particle stands for the pluperfect potential.[13]We may here mention that, in speaking of actions done by members of the body, Maori never supposes the individual, but rather the member, to perform the act. Thus, such expressions as "lift up your head," "open your mouth," "stretch out your leg," would not be rendered, as we have heard some speakers express it, by "huaia ake to matenga," "hamamatia to waha, &c.," but rather "kia ara ake to matenga," "hamama tou waha," "wharoro tou waewae."We have, indeed, occasionally heard a native say, wheterongia, (whaterongia, Ngapuhi) tou arero, titahangia; but these phrases are very rare.[14]Lowth.[15]N.B.—When we have occasion to speak of this class of words by themselves, as distinct from neuter verbs, we shall denominate themparticipial adjectives.
[11]There are many things connected with this subject that will, no doubt, often appear strange to the European reader; and he will frequently have to be careful lest he be misled by theories derived from occidental grammars. In those languages the verb is a leading word in the sentence, and by it exclusively is the office of affirmation or predication performed.
In Maori, on the contrary, a pure genuine verb is by no means of frequent occurrence: almost any word denoting a thing, or quality, is capable of sustaining that office; and predication is as frequently implied as expressed. In considering, therefore, the Maori verbs, we shall have to examine, not only those words which have been invested with the properties belonging to that class; but also those forms in which no mark of predication is expressed. The term predication we have adopted, for want of better, to denote those functions which are peculiar to the verb, and which are sometimes described by grammarians under the terms "affirmation" and "assertion."
[12]We have adopted the term "sentence" in preference to "proposition," lest the student should be led into perplexity by conceiving that we used the termssimpleandcompoundin the same senses as those in which they are used by logicians.
From our examples he will see that we should call a sentence simple, even though the subject and predicate be complex terms.
By noticing whether, when the sentence is translated, one or two verbs are introduced, and whether either of them is dependent in time on the other, the student will easily make the distinction that we are desirous of establishing. The importance of this distinction will be seen in our examples of a compound sentence. For, in the firste-ana, which is present in a simple sentence, is now past; in the second,kuais future, though it strictly belongs to the past tense; in the fourth example this same particle stands for the pluperfect potential.
[13]We may here mention that, in speaking of actions done by members of the body, Maori never supposes the individual, but rather the member, to perform the act. Thus, such expressions as "lift up your head," "open your mouth," "stretch out your leg," would not be rendered, as we have heard some speakers express it, by "huaia ake to matenga," "hamamatia to waha, &c.," but rather "kia ara ake to matenga," "hamama tou waha," "wharoro tou waewae."
We have, indeed, occasionally heard a native say, wheterongia, (whaterongia, Ngapuhi) tou arero, titahangia; but these phrases are very rare.
[14]Lowth.
[15]N.B.—When we have occasion to speak of this class of words by themselves, as distinct from neuter verbs, we shall denominate themparticipial adjectives.
Scarcely any part of Maori is more worthy of attention than the prepositions. In no language, that we are acquainted with, are their powers so extensive. While, in common with those of English and Hebrew, they serve to express those relations, which in some languages are chiefly marked by the different endings of the nouns, they extend their influence still farther, and are, in many instances, of material importance in determining the time of the sentence in which they are placed.
They are simple and compound. The simple are those which, in construction, take no other preposition into union with them. The principal prepositions of this class are as follows:
The compound prepositions are those which, like thecompositeof Hebrew, require one or more of the simple to set forth their meaning. They are as follows:
The meaning and uses, however, of the above, bothsimple, andcompound, are exceedingly various; and the attention of the student is therefore requested to the following notices respecting them.[16]
E,by(applied to theagent, not theinstrument) is always prefixed to the agent when a passive verb precedes; e. g.,
When neuter[17]verbs assume the passive form the agent follows, as in regular transitive verbs, and ispreceded bye; e. g.
Verbal nouns, and verbs preceded by such words ashohoro,oti,ahei,hei,pau,taea,taihoa,taria, &c., will takeeafter them; e. g.
The following, also, are instances in whicheis found after the active verb—after a verb, at least, active inform.
I,by, (follows a neuter verb, no matter whether the agent be animate or inanimate):
2.With.
Note.—In this latter sentence foreigners often make mistakes, and render it, ka riro maikia au. Whereverobtaining,receiving,taking, for possession, or such like, is intended,imostly signifies theperson,kitheplace; as in the following examples:Ka riro to kotiroite Kainga maori,your servant girl will be taken away by (the people) of the native place.Ka riro to kotirokite kainga maori,your servant girl will go to the native place.
Note.—In this latter sentence foreigners often make mistakes, and render it, ka riro maikia au. Whereverobtaining,receiving,taking, for possession, or such like, is intended,imostly signifies theperson,kitheplace; as in the following examples:
If the following passage were properly and correctly translated, how different would its meaning be from that intended by the speaker! kia riro atu ratou i te hunga nanakia,rescue them out from the cruel people. The true meaning of the passage, as it stands, is,Let them depart into the power of the cruel.
3.From,
Note.—For the difference betweeniandnosee the latter proposition § 4. Under this head may be mentioned apartitive sensein whichiis sometimes taken; e. g.,Tangohiaiā Hone,take some of John's.
Note.—For the difference betweeniandnosee the latter proposition § 4. Under this head may be mentioned apartitive sensein whichiis sometimes taken; e. g.,
4.To, (denoting possession, used somewhat similarly to the dative we find in Latin whensumis used forhabeo;) e. g.,
Note.—Beginners are often misled by natives and each other in the use of this preposition. Such sentences as the following are incorrect,Ia koe haere,go thou,Ia koe korero,you said. It should be, Haere koe; and, nau i korero.
5.Through, (or in consequence of),
6.In, orat.
7.At, (past time),
8.At, (future),
9.Than, (used in comparison); (vid. S. adjectives),
10. Under this head may be classed some instances that cannot well be reduced to any of the above rules:
The following examples seem to be opposed to rule 1, and are therefore deserving of notice. They are perhaps confined to Waikato:
In such instances as these, we should regardias pleonastic, somewhat like, perhaps, the prepositionsfromandinof Hebrew and Arabic.
The student should ever be mindful of the distinction between the prepositioniand the particle by which the accusative, (as it would be called in Latin,)is denoted. This particle has, of itself, no specific meaning. In many instances its use is similar to that ofêhthin Hebrew; e. g.,
It follows an active verb, whereas the preposition follows the neuter, and signifiesby. The uses of the two words are totally opposite, as may be seen in the following example. A young teacher wishing to say,sin produces pain, thus expressed his sentiment: Ko te kino ka whanau i te mamae. Now, whanau is not an active verb. It is a participial adjective. It is used correctly in John iii. 8, Whanau i te Wairua,born of the Spirit. The sentence therefore that we have adduced, if strictly translated, would run thus,sin is born of, or produced by pain.
KI,with, (denotes the instrument); e. g.,
Note.—When used in this sense it very rarely follows neuter verbs; for example it would not be correct to say, Kawerai a aukite ahi,it will be burned up by me with fire. Some passive verb, astahuna,&c.should, in this case precede instead ofwera. The following form, however, is correct:E kore e orakitena,will not be satisfied with that quantity (of food).E kore e otikitena,will not be completedwiththat.Many speakers confound the instrumental character (if we may so speak) of this preposition with another use of the wordwith, which, we believe, is seldom denoted byki.If, for example, we had to translate into Latin the following sentence, "to speak with fear;" (i. e. timidly,) how incorrect would it be to renderfearinto the ablative that is used for denoting an instrument! All would see thatdicere metudoes not express that meaning, and thatcum metu dicere, or something to that effect, was the true rendering. So also here, whereverappendage,connexionand such like is intended,kiis, we believe, a preposition that is very seldom called into use. We therefore disapprove of such a sentence as the following:Inoi atukite ngakau aroha,pray with a loving heart.It should however be noticed thatkiis sometimes found in other uses of the wordwith, in which no instrumentality is designed; e. g.,Taku mahinga ki a koe,my working with you; i. e., my work in your service.E riri ana ki a koe,is angry with you.This last example, however, might perhaps be most correctly translatedat; as in the following:E titiro mai ana ki a koe,is looking at you.On this use ofkiwe shall have to remark in the Syntax.
Note.—When used in this sense it very rarely follows neuter verbs; for example it would not be correct to say, Kawerai a aukite ahi,it will be burned up by me with fire. Some passive verb, astahuna,&c.should, in this case precede instead ofwera. The following form, however, is correct:
Many speakers confound the instrumental character (if we may so speak) of this preposition with another use of the wordwith, which, we believe, is seldom denoted byki.
If, for example, we had to translate into Latin the following sentence, "to speak with fear;" (i. e. timidly,) how incorrect would it be to renderfearinto the ablative that is used for denoting an instrument! All would see thatdicere metudoes not express that meaning, and thatcum metu dicere, or something to that effect, was the true rendering. So also here, whereverappendage,connexionand such like is intended,kiis, we believe, a preposition that is very seldom called into use. We therefore disapprove of such a sentence as the following:
It should however be noticed thatkiis sometimes found in other uses of the wordwith, in which no instrumentality is designed; e. g.,
This last example, however, might perhaps be most correctly translatedat; as in the following:
On this use ofkiwe shall have to remark in the Syntax.
2.To,
3.For,
4.At(past time),
5.At(future time),
6.According to,
We would here suggest by way of corollary that in quoting the sentiments of any writer, the most appropriate form for the phrase "according to" would beki ta, as in the above example. Thusthe gospel according to St. Matthewmight be well rendered by "ko te rongo paiki taMatiu;"the rule, according to my opinion,is, &c., "ko te tikanga, ki taku whakaaro, ko &c."
It is used also whereifwould be employed in English:
Sometimes (in Waikato) it is used pleonastically:
Frequently, in consequence of the elliptical character of the language, it is found in various other uses, which it is difficult to reduce to rule. The following are a few examples:
From the above sentence the student will form an idea of how much the business of language is performed in Maori by prepositions.
KEI,at.—It denotes chiefly present time; e. g.
2.At.(future time.) It is not unfrequently found in such constructions as the following:
3. Sometimes, in animated language, it is used instead ofkobefore the nominative case; e. g.,
4. Occasionally, in Waikato, it is used in the following construction: kua rirokeite hoe mai,he is gone to fetch it (the canoe). We are aware that it has been said that there should be a stop atriro, and that properly the above may be said to consist of two sentences, as follows:he is gone, he is fetching it. We are, however, certain that many sentences will be heard, in which no stop can be detected in the native pronunciation.
5. Sometimes it is used in the sense oflike:
NO,of, (the sign of the possessive case.) In this significationheis the only article that it will admit before it; e. g.,
The following construction, however, is an exception:
Note.—We may here observe that, in denoting the possessive case,nofollowshe, andofollowste, or nga. The following sentence is incorrect:Ano he tamarikiote Atua,as children of God.Thehehere requiresnoafter it. We shall have occasion hereafter (vid. verbs Syntax) to mention an exception to this rule which is sometimes heard among the tribes to the southward of Waikato.
Note.—We may here observe that, in denoting the possessive case,nofollowshe, andofollowste, or nga. The following sentence is incorrect:
Thehehere requiresnoafter it. We shall have occasion hereafter (vid. verbs Syntax) to mention an exception to this rule which is sometimes heard among the tribes to the southward of Waikato.
2.From, (that time),
3.From, (that cause),
Note.—In all examples of this, and the preceding head,nowill take a past tense after it.
4.From, (that place),
There is a distinction between this meaning ofno, and that ofi, (vid.i. 3.) which is very useful and important.Nosignifies the place to which you belong, whether it be England, Rotorua, &c.Isignifies the place you have been visiting as a mere sojourner.
Thus if we were to ask a person, "Nohea koe?" he would most probably reply, "NoHauraki,noWaikato," or some place of which he was a denizen; but if we were to ask "Ihea koe?" he would then mention some place he had been just visiting. This distinction does not seem to be so clearly recognized at the northward as it is in all the central parts of the island.
NA,of, the active form ofno, (vid. Syntax for the distinction betweenoanda).
2.By,
Note.—Na does not in this sense take a passive after it. It is not quite certain thatnadoes, in such sentences as the above, signifyby. The subject will be more fully considered in the Syntax. (vid. verbs).
Na, in this sense, always takesiafter it. The following sentence is incorrect: Nana hokikuatohutohu enei mea,he also has appointed these things. (Fornafollowed bykavid.Ma. 5.)
3.ThroughorBY(what cause, instrumentality, &c.)
Sometimes, in this use of it, it is followed by a passive voice, withai.
Sometimes (but rarely) it is followed by an active verb:
4. By (place, conveyance. &c).
MO.—N.B.Moandmaseem to be future forms ofnoandnain many particulars.
1.FororBECAUSE OF, (followed most frequently by a past tense, even though the meaning be present); e. g.,
Sometimes, however, it is followed by other particles:
2.For, (denotingappropriation,use, or some action passing on to the noun or pronoun to which it is prefixed):
3.For(in exchange), he utumotaku mahi.
Sometimes but rarely it is found in the following construction:
4.For.
5.At, (future time),
6.Concerning.
We have observedmoused by foreigners in sentences in whichforwould appear to be pleonastic, asopen the doorforme;dress this woundforme, &c. We have no hesitation however in affirming thatmois never used in such a construction.
7. Used with a verbal noun to denote apreparedness, &c., for some future act; e. g.
MA. The active form ofmo. (Vid. S.) It implies always future time.
1.For.
2.Byor more strictly,for,
3.By, (what means, &c.)
4. Sometimes it is used to denote a simple future:
5. It is very frequently employed inhypotheticandcontingentpropositions; e. g.
A very common way of denoting contingency is to associatemaornawith a personal pronoun, even though the latter have no direct meaning in the sentence. We give the following sentence in full, that the reader may better understand our meaning.
To this interesting point of Maori criticism we shall return when we treat on thetenses; vid. S.
6.By, (with reference to place or conveyance) in the same sense asna; vid.Na. 4.
RA,by, same asMa6; vid.
HEI,at,—always future, applied toplace, intention &c.
2. It is often used to denotepurpose,object,use,&c., where in English we should useas,to,for,instead,&c., e. g.
Sometimes we hear the following:Auaheipena:do not so.
Sometimes we hear the following:
3. Occasionally, but rarely, it is used to denotefrequent action; e. g.
Note.—A very strange use of this preposition is to be found in some parts of the south-eastern coast; as in the following examples:—Haere koe hei rakau,go fetch a stick. Haere koe hei wai,go fetch water.On the western coast such an address would be a most offensive curse.
Note.—A very strange use of this preposition is to be found in some parts of the south-eastern coast; as in the following examples:—
On the western coast such an address would be a most offensive curse.
O,of; e. g.
A,of; the active form ofo; vid. S.
N.B.—We sometimes meet withtoandta; e. g.KotoHone ware,John's house.Such words however are clearly composed oftoando, ora.
N.B.—We sometimes meet withtoandta; e. g.
Such words however are clearly composed oftoando, ora.
A. (This seems to be different from the articlea, as also from the foregoing.)
KO. (This seems to be different from the verbal particleko;—vid.verbal particlesSyntax.)
TO,up to. The following is the only construction in which we have heard this preposition.
N.B.—Toalmost always takes a plural number after it.
Compound Prepositions.—One or two examples will be a sufficient illustration of all.
Rungais capable of the following combinations: I runga i, ki runga ki, ki runga i, ki runga o, no runga no, no runga i, o runga o, kei runga kei, kei runga i, hei runga i, hei runga hei, mo runga mo, &c., &c. The first preposition in the combination and the meaning of the sentence will always determine the last.
Sometimes the adverbsakeandiho, (vid. adverbs,) as also the particlesatuandmai, are postfixed to the prepositions to increase its force; e. g.
A very singular use ofroto(orro) may be found in the neighbourhood of the East Cape: e. g.Keirowhare,inside the house.Keiropouaka,in the box.A similar use ofwaengamay be found in all parts of the island; e. g.Keiwaengariwai,in the midst of the potatoe (field.)Keiwaengamara,in the midst of the cultivation.Its use however does not extend much beyond those instances.
A very singular use ofroto(orro) may be found in the neighbourhood of the East Cape: e. g.
A similar use ofwaengamay be found in all parts of the island; e. g.
Its use however does not extend much beyond those instances.
A very common and elegant use ofrungais, when it is employed in the sense ofamongst,on, orwith, to denoteconcomitancy, &c., &c.; as in the following examples: