November 25, 2022
Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei and Warm Pasifika greetings to you all.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the Crown’s principal advisor on policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa. Language Week celebrations had their origins in Samoa in 2007. In 2009, the Humans Rights Commission came on board and the concept of Pacific Language Weeks was born. Since 2010, the Ministry of Pacific Peoples has been supporting Pacific Language Weeks, promoting and raising awareness of the diversity of our Pacific Languages in Aotearoa.
In this article we will look at simple Pasifika phrases you can use in your classroom with your learners. Tongan language week is from September the 4th-10th of September, the theme for Tongan Language Week 2022 is: Ke Tu’uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tonga’ ‘i Aotearoa, which means “Sustaining the Tongan Language in Aotearoa”.
We have our first lot of Musical Elements translated into Samoan, Tongan and Fijian. Thanks to Glenn Stanbridge for the original document, Sharon Ledua for the Fijian translation and Sola Vuna for the Tongan translation. Cook Islands Māori, Niuean and Tuvaluan are still in the process of translation and will come out in our next edition.
Mālo ‘aupito
Anne-Marie Lalakai
Here are some Tongan phrases you can use in your classroom:
| Tongan | English |
| Mālō e lelei
Mālō ‘aupito Ko hai ho hingoa ‘Alu ā Fakamolemole Faiako Fanau ako Fanongo Taimi ako Pō Ako |
Greetings/Hello
Thank you very much What is your name? Goodbye Please Teacher Students Listen Time to learn Homework |
Here are some phrases in Cook Islands Maori and Samoan you can also use:
| English | Cook Islands Maori | Samoan | Fijian |
| Hello
Thank you What is your name? Good bye Please |
Kia Ōrana
Meitaki Ko’ai tō’ou ingoa? ‘Aere rā ‘Inē |
Tālofa lava
Fa’afetai O ai lou igoa? Tōfā Fa’amolemole |
Bula
Vinaka vaka levu O cei na yacamu? Ni sa moce Kerekere |
Musical Elements
| Musical Element | Tongan |
| Timbre | Anga ‘oe le’o/ongo |
| Tonality | Fakafuo |
| Rhythm | Tā & Vā |
| Dynamics | Tainēmiki (Faka’ilonga le’olahi moe le’osi’i) |
| Form | Fa’unga |
| Texture | Fōtunga |
| Melody | Afo/Fasi |
| Harmony | Afo potupotu tatau |
| Musical Element | Fijian |
| Timbre | Rogo ni sere |
| Tonality | Rogo ni vakatagi |
| Rhythm | Veilutuki ni rorogo |
| Dynamics | Vadagu ni rorogo |
| Form | Tuvatuva ni sere/dua na tiki ni vakatagi |
| Melody | Tuvatuva ni rorogo |
| Harmony | Sota ni rorogo/domo |
| Musical Element | Samoan |
| Timbre | Lanu |
| Rhythm | Taimi |
| Dynamics | Leo tele ma le leo itiiti |
| Form | Ituaiga o pese |
| Melody | Fati |
| Harmony | Tufa’atasiga o leo |
BIO: Anne-Marie Lalakai, TIC of Music at Wesley College, Paerata, Auckland. I am of Samoan and Tongan descent, I grew up in Dunedin and my passion for music was ignited by my high school music teacher. I have been a music teacher for 11 years, mostly working in South Auckland Schools. I am a double bassist and pianist by trade and thoroughly enjoy working in the classroom with young budding musicians.
