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copyright 2007, by Victoria University of Wellington
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22.7.1925
Archdeacon
An old manuscript book of nearly 300 pages, the actually first transcription of the Maori language, is the property of a Manawatu settler who intends to deposit it for safe keeping in the Turnbull Library.
It is the handwriting of Professor
Two interesting features of this unique treasure are the delicate caligraphy of the old-time scholar, in which there is not a single error, omission, or erasure, and the fact that this copy was the first ever written. In this, the whole English alphabet was used, whereas in the same month
A connoisseur hazards the opinion that the unique manuscript would command a very high figure if submitted to the competit on of treasure hunters in London; but the owner desires that it should be held for the generations of New Zealanders who will appreciate it more and more as the years go by.
1827
Ramsgate
Kent
John Hobbs
In 1827, the Rev
The Committee of the Church Missionary Society have availed themselves of the visit to this country of Mr.
In presenting the following Work to the Public, it may be necessary to explain, under what circumstances, and for what end, it has been undertaken.
Some materials were collected in London in the year 1818, from Tooi and Teeterree, two New Zealanders who resided some time at the Society's House; but as ill health obliged them shortly to quit London, the work was necessarily suspended, and the materials sent to Miss, Register for 1819, p. 465,
The furtherance of the Mission, sent out to New Zealand, for the double purpose of civilizing and evangelizing the Natives of that country, was the general object for which this work was undertaken.
The particular objects therefore kept in view in this compilation, were, in the first place, to make it useful to the New Zealanders themselves; and, in the second, to their Teachers — the Missionaries and Settlers.
With respect to the New Zealanders, care has been taken to represent their language in a manner as simple and unembarrassed as the nature of the subject and materials would admit. In doing this, the first point aimed at, was, to make the Alphabet If I do not much mistake, the X should have been omitted in the Table, as no instance occurs in which it has been used. There is one peculiarity in the pronunciation of the New-Zealand Language, which should here be noticed, and which could not be marked in the Alphabet. When two vowels concur, the combined sound becomes that of the English sh, ex. gr. E óngi, A salute, is pronounced Shóngi; and so of very other combination, in which the indefinite article e precedes a vowel. This appears to me a phænomenon in the history of speech; and, as the introduction of sh in such cases, either in the Dialogues or the Vocabulary, would have brought with it great confusion, it has been thought proper to omit it, and to mention it here.
The other particular object of the work, is the instruction of the European Missionary in the Language of New Zealand; whereby he may be enabled to communicate the blessings of Christian Instruction and Civil Improvement: and for this end it was, that Examples in declension and conjugation have been given, after the manner of European Grammars; when, in fact, there exists no such thing in the language in question; as is also the case in the Sister Dialects of Tonga and the Malayans See the Grammar of the Tonga Language by Mr. Martyn: and Mr. Marsden's Grammar of the Malay.
The Vocabulary has been arranged according to the Alphabet laid down in the first page, (the New-Zealand words taking the lead,) principally with a view to the instruction of the Missionary in studying the Examples given in the body of the Grammar.
That either the Grammar or Vocabulary is as perfect as may be wished, no one will take upon himself to affirm: but when the unfavourable circumstances are considered, under which the materials have been collected and the work composed, it is hoped that it will be found not to fall very far short of reasonable expectation, both in extent and accuracy. At all events, a foundation has been laid; and we may hope, by the blessing of God, hereafter to see a fair superstructure.
As a means of rendering a future edition of this work more perfect, I should recommend to the Missionaries to get their copies interleaved; and daily to make such remarks on every part of the Grammar, as well, as additions to the Vocabulary, as the extent of their information may enable them. I would also advise them daily to translate into the New-Zealand Language some portion of the Scriptures or the Liturgy, with a view to their final circulation throughout the Island. They would do well, moreover, to compose short Addresses, to be read to the People, on the history and character of Christianity, as well as Hymns and Psalms to be sung at the times of Divine Service. Copies of these Exercises should be sent home for the approval of the Committee, and with a view to preserve them, should any accident destroy the originals in New Zealand, By this means, not only would a knowledge of the language be thoroughly attained, but the happiest effects might be expected, both in engaging the mind of the Missionary in his proper work, and in exciting the attention of the Heathen around him to the knowledge of God and of themselves as exhibited in the Holy Scriptures.
The Parts of Speech are eight; the Article, the Noun, the Pronoun, the Verb, the Adverb, the Preposition, the Conjunction, and the Interjection.
The vowel e is often used as an Indefinite Article, and has the same signification as the English Article a or an. The syllable te is also often used as a Definite Article, and has the same signification as the English article the; but it should be observed, that neither of these articles can be always used according to the rules of the English Language, the idiom of the New-Zealand Language being different.
The Article e will not always apply to Nouns of the Singular Number, as the Indefinite Article a or an in English; but is often used before Nouns Plural.
Nouns have two Numbers; the Singular and the Plural. The Plural is formed by prefixing the particle nga to the singular.
The Cases of Nouns Substantive are thus distinguished:
E kai ána te mánu, The bird eats. Te mánu is the Nominative Case Singular.
E ou no te mánu, A feather of the bird. No te mánu is the Genitive Case.
O átu te táro ki te mánu, Give the food to the bird. Ki te mánu is the Dative Case.
Túki Túki hía te mánu, Kill the bird. Te mánu is the Accusative Case.
E mánu, O bird; Vocative.
Kóa pau te kai i te mánu, The food is eaten by the bird. I te mánu is the Ablative Case.
Note.—When, in expressing the Genitive Case of a Noun Substantive, personal acquisition of property is denoted as well as possession, the syllable na is used instead of no.
The distinction of Gender, in this language, is generally made by adding the word signifying male or female.
The words which denote the different sexes are the following; viz.
Táne—a male as he is in alliance with the female, or as he is the husband of a wife.
Wahíne—a female as she is in alliance with the male, or as she is the wife of her husband.
Touráwi—any male.
Uwha—any female.
The Particle Ka is generally prefixed to Adjectives when they are placed alone.
The Adjective is generally placed immediately after the Substantive, the prefix Ka being then omitted.
Note.—With regard to the Plural Number, the Adjectives are subject to the same rules with the Substantives.
The Comparative and Superlative Degrees are generally formed by Particles, or other words prefixed or affixed; but the Superlative is sometimes formed by repeating the same adjective.
After the same manner will all the Tens be performed, till we arrive at a Hundred, which is the tenth number of Ten so taken. This last tenth, or the number One Hundred, is termed Ka rau; after which the same process will again be ten times repeated, till we arrive at a Thousand, which is termed Ka máno.
This may be illustrated by a proverbial expression in use among the natives; viz. Ki a waikato te tíni o te tángata, ki a kawía te máno;—i. e. The (river) Note.—Any Number indefinitely great is called Tíni.waikato has its ten thousands, and the (river) kawia its thousands.
The New Zealanders count by pairs, as well as single numbers. These different methods are called in their language,
Tatau ta ki táhi, Counting by single numbers, and
Tatau ta ki dúa, Counting by pairs.
In translating the method of counting by pairs, say, one pair, instead of the word one; ten pairs, instead of the word ten; &c.
The word Ko in these instances takes the place of the substantive, which may be omitted when the substantive is expressed; as,
Or added upon the construction taking a different turn; as,
Máua, We two (whom I represent, or am speaking of).
Mátu, We all (whom I represent, or am speaking of).
Possessive Pronouns are not set down alone, but they are combined with certain Particles which are made use of as prefixes or affixes.
In the Singular Number of Possessive Pronouns, Ku is used in distinguishing the First Person, U in distinguishing the Second, and Na in the Third.
In the Dual Number, táua, kodúa, ráua, and máua distinguish the different Persons: and in the Plural, tátu, koútu, rátu, and mátu.
The following are the Possessive Pronouns, with their combinations.
The following Examples are set down in elucidation of the Possessive Pronouns.
First, with respect to a thing; as, a Fish-hook, or an Axe.
Secondly, with respect to things; as, Fish-hooks, Axes.
I have not been able to discover any words in the New-Zealand Language corresponding to the Relative Pronouns in other languages. The few Examples following will shew that these Pronouns are generally understood.
Note.—In the foregoing examples of Possessive, Demonstrative, and Relative Pronouns, the Particles te, ta, and to are evidently used in the Singular Number only; and e, a, and o, in the Plural.
In asking some questions, such as a person's name, the word k'wai is used, and not éaha.
Verbs are of three kinds; Active, Neuter, and Causative.
Verbs have two Voices, the Active and the Passive.
There are three Moods: the Indicative, the Imperative, and the Subjunctive.
The Tenses of Verbs are three; Past, Present, and Future.
The Preter and Future often signify the time present.Note.—The Future is often used to express the continuance of action, &c. implied by the verb.
Ka Kai, To eat.
Note.—In expressing the Past and Future Tenses of Verbs, it is common to mention the place where, or the time when, a thing was, or will be done. Some verbs, however, admit the prefix hóa, and the affix ke, in determining the Past Tense, and the Vowel á prolonged in determining the Future.
Aire, To Move;—from Aere, or Circular Motion.
Aire mai, To come or approach.
Aire átu, To go or depart.
Aire mai..To Come.
Note.—In the Past Tense above mentioned, instead of the word Came, the words Am coming &c. ought properly to be substituted; the Preter Tense being only signified by the word Yesterday.
Another form of expressing the Past Tense of the Verb To Come.
Note.—Ka díro ra óki'au, would signify, as before, I am gone &c. Kóa tai ke átu ra óki'au, I have arrived.
Koréro....To Speak.
When the time, or place, is determined wherein the action &c. of the verb is supposed to have existed, the Past Tense will be expressed in the following manner.
Another form of expressing the Future Tense is, when an action is going to be performed, or is about to be done; as,
Pau…To be Consumed.
In the Subjunctive Mood, use pe instead of ra, as before.
Waka kitéa..To cause to see, to shew, to view;
from Kitéa, To see clearly.
Note.—Kite' is generally used as an abbreviation of Kitéa.
In the Subjunctive Mood, substitute the word pe instead of ra, as before.
Waka róngo..To cause to hear.
The word pe is substituted for the word ra in the Subjunctive Mood, as before.
Note.—The verb waka róngo is used for listen, hearken, and also for acquaint, inform; such particles as alter its meaning being prefixed or affixed.
Waka mátau..To cause to know, or to Teach; from Mátau, to Know, to Understand, &c.
In the Subjunctive Mood, substitute the word pe instead of ra, as before.
Pénei, Like this, (very near).
Péna, Like that (pointed at).
Péra, Like that (at a distance).
Méa ke, In like manner as.
E táhi ánga, Once.
E máno e okínga mai, A thousand times.
E máha e okínga mai, Many times.
Ahéa? When?
E íaha? Why? or What for?
E hía? How many?
Note.—It may be remarked, that many of these Adverbs are nothing more than Adjectives or Substantives used adverbially.
E aire po ána óti koe? Art thou going by night?
Ko té e óki wáwe mai óti koe? Wilt thou return speedily?
E koréro tíka ána ra óki te tángata, The man speaks correctly.
E máhi mádie ána ra óki tátu, We all are working quietly.
E tére máodi ána ra óki te tohóra, The whale is swimming (upon the water).
E títiro makútu ána ra óki ía, He is looking (bewitchingly).
E ánga kino ána, A working ill.
Ka díro i te tángata, Taken by the man.
No te tángata, From the man.
Ki te tángata, To the man.
Dúnga áki te wáta, Upon the platform.
Ráro e o te rákau, Under the tree.
Mo te tángata, For the man.
Ke te wáre, At the house.
Ka nóho 'au ki roto, I sit within.
Ka aire tátu ki wáho, Let us all go out.
Ma and me are used as Conjunctions Co-pulative; ma in coupling words of the same nature and quality; and me in coupling words of different qualities, & c.
Ko Táka ma, ko Túma; Táka and Túma.
E dúa te kau ma díma; Twenty and five.
Na wai óki te Ra, mé te Maráma, me nga wétu? Who made the sun and moon and stars?
Ka pai ra óki 'au ki te íka, mé te kapána, me te táro. I like fish and potatoes and bread.
Sometimes Conjunctions are formed by the Personal Pronouns:
Ko máua ko Táka; I and Táka.
Ko koe, ko dúa, ko Táka; Thou and Táka.
Ko Táka, ko ráua, ko Túma; Táka and Túma.
Ko Táka, ko rátu, ko Túma ma; Táka, Túma, and party.
Ki a Táka, ki a ráua, ki a Túma; To Táka and Túma.
Ha há!—denoting surprise.
Au é! Alas!
E tai! Ah!
Aháh!—in disgust.
The Nominative Case agrees with and follows the Verb; as,
E tóene ra óki te ra, The sun proceeds forward.
E rére ána te mánu, The bird flies.
E aróha ána nga matúa, The parents love.
E aire ána máua, ko Táka, I and Táka move.
E e óki mai ána te táua, The army is coming back.
Note.—In the last four sentences, the ra óki is omitted by the ellipse.
The Adjective follows the Substantive; as,
Adjectives sometimes precede the substantive; as,
Ka róa (ra óki) te po, Long is the night.
E núi te pai o ténei méa, Very good is this thing.
Pai ráwa tóu ánga, Exceeding good is thy work.
Sometimes the Adjective denoting the particular properties of a Substantive is expressed alone; the Substantive to which it refers being understood; as,
E kúere, An ignorant, unskilful man;—the word tángata being understood.
E tohúnga, A skilful person; as, A priest, An architect, &c.
E tóa, A courageous man.
E hóha, A generous person.
The Possessive Pronoun is placed either before or after the Substantive; as,
Táku tamaiti, My son; or E tamaiti náku, A son of mine.
Tóku matúa, My parent; or, E matúa nóku, A parent of mine.
To tátu wáre, Our house; or, E wáre no tátu &c.
Kóa máte ke tóku matúa táne, me tóku matúa wahíne; My father and mother are dead.
O mai ki 'au, Produce to me.
Móku te táhi tóki, For me one axe, or Give me an axe.
Móu tenei tóki, For thee this axe, or Take this axe.
E tángata ngákau núi ki te wawáhi, A man who has a fearless disposition for disputation.
Kaua hei Atúa ke móu, Take not a strange God to thee.
E aróha ána 'au ki á koe, I love thee.
Waka e óki mai tóu ponónga ki 'au, Return thy servant to me.
Ke tawíti, ko táhi ra ka aire, ka tai; The distance is (that) of one day's journey.
E wai kédi, e óno te róa o te hohónu; A ditch six fathoms deep.
Ki te po, e kóre e kitéa te kanóhi; In the night the eye cannot see.
E tángi po ána ra óki te wahíne á ka áo te ra, kamútu; The woman cries during the night, at day-break ceases.
E'aha ra nei te máhinga máku kei Ingland? What shall I work at in England?
No Niw Zíland ra óki ía, He is from New Zealand.
Ko Niw Zíland ra óki ía, He is going to New Zealand.
Kei úta tóku káinga, My residence is in the interior.
Aire ra óki koe ki tóu wáre, Go to thy house.
Teacher.
Éaha te méa ki tóu dínga dínga?—What (is) the thing in thy hand?
Pupil.
E matau kau áno.—A fish-hook only.
E'aha, an interrogative pronoun, signifying what.
Te, a definite article, and like the English article the.
Méa, signifies a likeness unto any substantive intended or understood, but not expressed: it is also used for the word thing.
Ki, signifies close to, adjoining, in, or to.
Tóu, the possessive pronoun, denoting thy (singular number).
Dínga dínga, The hand, or The fingers.
Note.—E'aha te méa, when translated literally, denotes What the thing? The neuter verb is being understood.
E, an indefinite article.
Matau, a Fish-hook.
Kau, ad. signifying solely, only, & c.
A'no, answering generally to the verb neuter To be.
E matau kau áno, signifies, ‘A fish-hook only is here.’
T. Na wai óki i ó mai te matau ki á koe?—Who gave the fish-hook to thee?
P. Na Táka ra óki.—Táka.
T. E tángata pai ra nei ía?—Is he a good man?
P. Ai ra óki; e tángata pai, e tángata hóha.—Yes; a good man, a generous man.
T. Ke ihéa kóia tóna káinga?—At what place truly is his residence?
P. Ke Port Jákson ra óki; ke Paramáta.—At Port Jackson; at Parramatta.
T. Kóa tai óti koe ki reira?—Hast thou been there?
P. Kóa tai ra oki 'au.—I have been there.
T. I nahéa?—When was it?
P. I te e áu tóke ra óki: katai áno 'au ka e óki mai.—It was in winter: just now I am returned here.
T. E wahíne óti ta Táka?—Has Táka a wife?
P. E wahíne ra óki.—He has a wife.
T. Tóko hía ána tamaníki?—How many children has he?
P. Tóko óno.—Six.
T. E'aha tána máhinga?—What is his office?
P. E karakía ra óki ki tóna Atúa.—A praying to, or calling upon his God.
T. E tohúnga peóki ía?—Perhaps he is a priest?
P. E tohúnga ra óki.—Yes, a priest.
T. Ko wai óki tóna Atúa?—Who is his God?
P. Ko Jihóva ra óki; ko Jízus Kraist; ko te Waidúa pai.—Jehovah; Jesus Christ; the Good Spirit.
T. E tódu ra nei énei Atúa?—Are these possibly three Gods?
P. E téka. Ko táhi ra óki rátu; ko Jihóva ra óki tó rátu ingóa waka éra éra.—No. They are one; Jehovah is their great name.
T. E aira ána koe?—Art thou moving (or going)?
P. E aire ána ra óki 'au. Apópo ka e óki mai, kía wakáko táu'.—I am moving. Tomorrow return back, when thou and I will teach.
T. Aire átu ra.—Go in health.
P. I ko na ra.—Remain in health.
T. Aire mai ra; aire mai, aire mai. Té na ra ko koe.—Come cheerly, or well; come, come. Be thou revived and well; or, Health to thee.
P. E'mara má! nohéa ténei kai?—O my friends! from whence is this food?
T. No té Wai Máte.—From te Wai Máte.
P. Na e O'ngi I'ka óki i ó mai ki a kodúa?—Did Ongi I'ka give it to you?
Note.—Although kodúa signifies, for the most part, ye two, it is sometimes used in expressing a company, or party belonging to a man.
The strong and irresistible wind blowing from the tempestuous north, made so deep an impression upon my mind for thee, A man who is said to have visited the Bay of Islands before Captain Cook.O Taua, that I ascended the mountain, even to the very top, to witness thy departure. The rolling billows extend nearly as far as Stivers
As some passages in this Service are not at present well understood by the Compiler, they are left to be translated hereafter.
(Left untranslated, for the reason before stated.)