(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.
§. 13. Neuter verbs.—On these but few remarks are required. For the distinction between the preposition i, by which they are followed, and the particle i, 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: thus marie may be translated quiet, and be considered an adjective; or pacified, 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 terms simple and compound in 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 first e-ana, which is present in a simple sentence, is now past; in the second, kua is 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 them participial 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 the composite of 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, both simple, and compound, are exceedingly various; and the attention of the student is therefore requested to the following notices respecting them.[16]
E, by (applied to the agent, not the instrument) 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 is preceded by e; e. g.
Verbal nouns, and verbs preceded by such words as hohoro, oti, ahei, hei, pau, taea, taihoa, taria, &c., will take e after them; e. g.
The following, also, are instances in which e is found after the active verb—after a verb, at least, active in form.
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 mai ki a au. Wherever obtaining, receiving, taking, for possession, or such like, is intended, i mostly signifies the person, ki the place; 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 between i and no see the latter proposition § 4. Under this head may be mentioned a partitive sense in which i is sometimes taken; e. g.,
4. To, (denoting possession, used somewhat similarly to the dative we find in Latin when sum is used for habeo;) 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, I a koe haere, go thou, I a koe korero, you said. It should be, Haere koe; and, nau i korero.
5. Through, (or in consequence of),
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 regard i as pleonastic, somewhat like, perhaps, the prepositions from and in of Hebrew and Arabic.
The student should ever be mindful of the distinction between the preposition i and 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 of êhth in Hebrew; e. g.,
It follows an active verb, whereas the preposition follows the neuter, and signifies by. 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, Ka wera i a au ki te ahi, it will be burned up by me with fire. Some passive verb, as tahuna, &c. should, in this case precede instead of wera. 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 word with, which, we believe, is seldom denoted by ki.
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 render fear into the ablative that is used for denoting an instrument! All would see that dicere metu does not express that meaning, and that cum metu dicere, or something to that effect, was the true rendering. So also here, wherever appendage, connexion and such like is intended, ki is, 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 that ki is sometimes found in other uses of the word with, in which no instrumentality is designed; e. g.,
This last example, however, might perhaps be most correctly translated at; as in the following:
On this use of ki we 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 be ki ta, as in the above example. Thus the gospel according to St. Matthew might be well rendered by "ko te rongo pai ki ta Matiu;" the rule, according to my opinion, is, &c., "ko te tikanga, ki taku whakaaro, ko &c."
It is used also where if would 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 of ko before the nominative case; e. g.,
4. Occasionally, in Waikato, it is used in the following construction: kua riro kei te hoe mai, he is gone to fetch it (the canoe). We are aware that it has been said that there should be a stop at riro, 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 of like:
NO, of, (the sign of the possessive case.) In this signification he is 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, no follows he, and o follows te, or nga. The following sentence is incorrect:
The he here requires no after 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, no will take a past tense after it.
4. From, (that place),
There is a distinction between this meaning of no, and that of i, (vid. i. 3.) which is very useful and important. No signifies the place to which you belong, whether it be England, Rotorua, &c. I signifies the place you have been visiting as a mere sojourner.
Thus if we were to ask a person, "No hea koe?" he would most probably reply, "No Hauraki, no Waikato," or some place of which he was a denizen; but if we were to ask "I hea 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 of no, (vid. Syntax for the distinction between o and a).
2. By,
Note.—Na does not in this sense take a passive after it. It is not quite certain that na does, in such sentences as the above, signify by. The subject will be more fully considered in the Syntax. (vid. verbs).
Na, in this sense, always takes i after it. The following sentence is incorrect: Nana hoki kua tohutohu enei mea, he also has appointed these things. (For na followed by ka vid. Ma. 5.)
3. Through or BY (what cause, instrumentality, &c.)
Sometimes, in this use of it, it is followed by a passive voice, with ai.
Sometimes (but rarely) it is followed by an active verb:
4. By (place, conveyance. &c).
MO.—N.B. Mo and ma seem to be future forms of no and na in many particulars.
1. For or BECAUSE 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, (denoting appropriation, use, or some action passing on to the noun or pronoun to which it is prefixed):
3. For (in exchange), he utu mo taku mahi.
Sometimes but rarely it is found in the following construction:
4. For.
5. At, (future time),
6. Concerning.
We have observed mo used by foreigners in sentences in which for would appear to be pleonastic, as open the door for me; dress this wound for me, &c. We have no hesitation however in affirming that mo is never used in such a construction.
7. Used with a verbal noun to denote a preparedness, &c., for some future act; e. g.
MA. The active form of mo. (Vid. S.) It implies always future time.
1. For.
2. By or more strictly, for,
3. By, (what means, &c.)
4. Sometimes it is used to denote a simple future:
5. It is very frequently employed in hypothetic and contingent propositions; e. g.
A very common way of denoting contingency is to associate ma or na with 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 the tenses; vid. S.
6. By, (with reference to place or conveyance) in the same sense as na; vid. Na. 4.
RA, by, same as Ma 6; vid.
HEI, at,—always future, applied to place, intention &c.
2. It is often used to denote purpose, object, use, &c., where in English we should use as, to, for, instead, &c., e. g.
Sometimes we hear the following:
3. Occasionally, but rarely, it is used to denote frequent 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:—
On the western coast such an address would be a most offensive curse.
O, of; e. g.
A, of; the active form of o; vid. S.
N.B.—We sometimes meet with to and ta; e. g.
Such words however are clearly composed of to and o, or a.
A. (This seems to be different from the article a, as also from the foregoing.)
KO. (This seems to be different from the verbal particle ko;—vid. verbal particles Syntax.)
TO, up to. The following is the only construction in which we have heard this preposition.
N.B.—To almost always takes a plural number after it.
Compound Prepositions.—One or two examples will be a sufficient illustration of all.
Runga is 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 adverbs ake and iho, (vid. adverbs,) as also the particles atu and mai, are postfixed to the prepositions to increase its force; e. g.
A very singular use of roto (or ro) may be found in the neighbourhood of the East Cape: e. g.
A similar use of waenga may 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 of runga is, when it is employed in the sense of amongst, on, or with, to denote concomitancy, &c., &c.; as in the following examples: