Tag: Tonga

  • 5 daily Tongan greetings you can use today!

    Mālō e lelei is hello in Tongan . It literally means thank you for being good. But did you know that Tongan greetings are more than just a one word hello. It is a beautiful phrase that acknowledges and shows gratitude. There are variations and using these phrases can help to build relationships and connection.…

  • Hiva: Si’i matangi kuo ma’ilinoa

  • GAME: Sai ke tau ‘ilo

    An important feature about our Tongan culture is our value of Tauhi vā (keeping our relations close).  However as our extended families grow and move further away it does get harder to keep in touch. It is important to take advantage of the times that families do get together to bond and keep those family…

  • Know your Tongan: ki (v) kia

    Here is the first of our Thursday Grammar. Do you know the difference between the two words “ki” and “kia”?  Both mean the same English preposition word “to”. Read carefully the information above and fill in the blanks. Is it “ki” or “kia”? ‘Ave _____ Sione. Give it to John. Na’a’ ke lea _____ Mele? Did you talk to Mary?…

  • 2015 a year of learning

    At this time of year I like to remind myself and all the entire Tongan Language School of how much they have achieved in 2015. So I created this video. Kids always love to see themselves in videos. I then challenged my family to write down their new goals. Amongst our new family goals is to speak more…

  • Is it Taimi’ni or Taini’mi?

    This is another of my internal questions that has lingered in my head regarding the Tongan language. I have always used Taimi’ ni which means at this moment in time/ right now. Then I started to hear people say Taini’ mi, so are you saying it right or not. It has been confirmed by Tongan linguists so…

  • Ko e feinga pē: All we can do is TRY!

    Life is such a battle for many. No matter what communities we live in rich or poor we all have our own challenges. Growing up there are several words or phrases you constantly hear from your parents, grandparents and Tongan society. Ko e fonua masiva (Tonga is a poor country). Ako ke lahi. Study hard.…

  • 5 Reasons your children are not speaking in Tongan

    I read a great article on Multilingual living and decided to put together a TOP 5 REAONS why your children are not speaking in Tongan. In my own experience with my children these are the 5 top reasons why they were not speaking in Tongan. So you want your children to speak in Tongan but you are finding…

  • Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?

    Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?. Ko e fehu’i mālie eni ‘a Alando Soakai. A very interesting question by Alando Soakai.  Have you been called ‘plastic’ because you speak more English than your native tongue? Other terms used to address you and your identity for not speaking the language is a pālangi (foreigner) or fie pālangi…

  • Vavai ‘a ‘Amelika: a failing of America

    I’m currently travelling in America and the general comments I have been getting from the old folks have been the same everywhere I go. They are happy to hear my children understand and speak in Tongan They are happy to hear a mother speak in Tongan to their children Their comments include “Vaivai ‘a ‘Amelika”…