GLOSSARY PICS LANGUAGE

While the language of Rapanui is distinct, it is still close to other languages in Polynesia and many words are the same. The residents of Rapa Nui can communicate easily with Hawaiians, Tahitians, and the Maori of New Zealand. In fact, many Tahitian words have crept into the Rapanui vocabulary.

There are nine consonants and five vowels: 14 letters total. To pronounce many Rapanui words, use a 'latino' accent; the exception is 'ng' which is pronounced as a nasal 'ing' as in "sing" or 'hang'. Thus Hanga Roa would come out as "han-nya-ro-a"; Akahanga is pronounced as "aka-han-nya".

The Rapanui grammar is very complicated and difficult for a Westerner. But this brief word list will enable you to say a few things in Rapanui. The way words are put together more closely resembles that found in oriental languages, thus the basic subject-predicate-object system does not work here.

The plural is usually formed by putting "nga" in front of a word. Thus "nga tangata" means "men", but if a specific number is given, then the 'nga' is left off and the number added. For example. "erima tangata" means "five men".

Qualifying words such as "good" or "big" follow the noun: "kai riva-riva" means "a good meal".

It is important to note the glottal stop ('); this means there is a break in the word and its presence or absence will change the meaning. Thus ra'a (sun) or ta'u (year) would be pronounced with a definite break like our "oh-oh". Examples: "ra-áhh" and "ta-ouh".

Another key to pronunciation is the macron, indicated by a short line over a vowel, ¯. (Your browser may display an accented vowel instead: á - é - í - ó - ú.) The macron indicates that this vowel is stressed, making a long sound. For example, the word "póki" means "a child." This is pronounced as "poe-ki," with a stress on the 'ó'.

Common one-liners

English	Rapanui
Hello	'Iorana
How are you?	Pehé koe?
Fine	Riva-riva
Badly	Rake-rake
Thank you	Maururu
To your health!	Manuia paka-paka
Yes	Eeé
What?	Aha?
This one	Te me'e nei
That one	Te me'e eno
The first child	Póki ra'e
The first hill	Ma'unga ra'e
Say it again, slowly	Vananga koroiti
Where is the toilet?	Ihé te hare komo?
Where are you going?	Kihé kóe?
Many	Rahi
Stop!	Ka noho!
More	Ata
A good meal	Kai riva-riva
Tangata	Man

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