Paama
Facts
- Language: Paama
- Alternate names: Paama-Lopevi, Pauma, Paamese
- Language code: pma
- Language family: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, North and Central Vanuatu, Central Vanuatu
- Number of speakers: 6000
- Script: Latin script
More information:
Introduction
Paama is an Austronesian language spoken the following parts of Vanuatu: Paama, one village on east Epi (Lopevi), a large group in Vila.
The Verb
Paama speaking areas
- Tha Paama verb is conjugated in person and number by means of short pronouns.
- Mood is shown by the use of introductory words.
- Tense is shown partly by changes in the initial of word-base, partly by prefixed particles, and partly by change in the short preceding pronoun.
Sample verb: sani
| INDICATIVE | ||
| Future | Past/Indefinite | |
| Sg.1 | ni sani | na, no sani |
| Sg.2 | ki sani | ko sani |
| Sg.3 | he sani | kei, e sani |
| Pl.1 (inclusive) | ri sani | re, ro sani |
| Pl.1 (exclusive) | me he sani | me sani |
| Pl.2 | mi he sani | mi sani |
| Pl.3 | i sani | a, o sani |
Sample verbs:
- ani to eat,
- hiseni to show,
- ila to know,
- lesi to see,
- sani to give,
- talicati to keep,
- tou to abide.
References
- Sidney H. Ray. A Comparative Study of the Melanesian Island Languages. Ams Pr Inc.