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A Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language, with English and Samoan vocabulary
Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Third Edition
The former editions of this work having passed out of print, in compliance with the urgent suggestions of several friends and a strong impression on my own mind of the necessity for preserving the usefulness of the work, I have now prepared a revised and enlarged edition, and have also introduced into it valuable additions which will be found of great advantage to the student of the Samoan language.
From a volume of MS. songs, written out by a native poet, and lent me by the Rev. G. Brown, I culled 500 new words. On a visit to Samoa in 1885, I ascertained the correct meaning of these words from various pundits, and also collected many other words at the same time. Since then I have added to the new collection while translating a volume of myths and legends, &c., compiled by the late Rev. T. Powell. From Marsden's Malay Dictionary I obtained 180 Eastern Polynesian roots, which I have inserted in their places. There are also many resemblances found in the Malay Grammar to the Samoan. (See note appended.)
In this edition I have enlarged the Grammar, and page iv have added 560 words to the English and Samoan part of the Dictionary.* About 1300 new words or new meanings have been added, making a total of over 12,000 words.
Lastly, I have given a number of Proverbs in use among the natives.
* The English and Samoan Vocabulary has been placed last in the Book for the convenience of Samoan students learning English; and the Samoan phonetic spelling of some English words, with the Samoan names for parts of speech, have been included for the benefit of natives.
J.E.N.