This dialect, although in bulk Polynesian, has been “crossed” with some foreign tongue in a very remarkable manner. The numerals and many of the vital words are utterly strange to the Maori linguist; but, on the other hand, the Polynesian words have been preserved with great purity of sound and accuracy of meaning. The following examples may serve to show the presence of the foreign element. The Paumotan word is placed first, and the related Maori word (marked M.) follows.

Upoupo, heart (mind), M. ngakau; nimo, heart of a tree, M. uho; hipa, to see, M. kite; veke, a fault, M. hara; pepenu, a head, M. upoko; kama, stupid, M. kuware; togari, sweat, M. kakawa; utari, to follow, M. whai; pouru, a kidney, M. whatukuhu; keka, a road, M. ara; toau, salt, M. mataitai; konao, stone, M. kowhatu; aveke, canoe, M. waka; touiti, rain, M. ua; touo, egg, M. hua; keiga, bone, M. iwi; kave, nephew, M. iramutu; tarena, sinew, M. uaua; paku, cloud, M. kapua; kavake, moon, M. marama; tate, fish-hook, M. matau; mori, oil, M. hinu; kerikeri, the liver, M. ate; puka forest, M. ngahere; tuetue, large, M. nui; teke, fruit, M. hua; kaihora, smoke, M. auahi; niganiga, mud, M. paru; neki, korure, rotika, fire, M. ahi, kapura; orari (o rari), one, M. tahi; eite (e ite), two, M. rua; egeti (e geti), three, M. toru; eope (e ope), four, M. wha; ekeka, emiha (e keka, e miha), five, M. rima; ehena; ehene (e hene), six, M. ono; ahito (a hito), seven, M. whitu; ehava (e hava), eight, M. waru; enipa (e nipa), nine, M. iwa; horihori, ten, M. tekau; makaro, son, M. tama; viru, good, M. pai; manemanea, finger, M. matihao; komo, water, M. wai; titi, slave, M. taurekareka, pononga; kaifa, husband, M. tane; mahoi, horohoro, spirit, soul, M. wairua; kamoke, to count, M. tatau; kega, ladder, M. arawhata; tapurena, ashes, M. pungarehu; manania, girl, M. hine, kotiro; morire, woman, M. wahine; paneke, fat, M. momona.

These words, however, are few compared with the Polynesian words in the dialect, and themselves have the Polynesian phonology. In the following examples the Paumotan word precedes, and the related Maori word (marked M.) follows.