INTRODUCTION

In this section different aspects of Rotuman grammar will be described.  Most of the descriptions will be for the Rotuman learner who does not have a background in linguistics.  If you wish to be able to speak understandable Rotuman, it will be necessary to know some of the grammar rules.  On the other hand, learning Rotuman—or any language, for that matter—is not primarily a matter of studying the grammar.  So don’t get hung up on the rules described here.  The grammar exercises will help you check whether you have learned the particular grammar point or not.  Be willing to speak and make mistakes at first.  That is how you will make progress in the language!

Some of the discussions will be more advanced, intended for those who already have some knowledge of the language, as well as for linguists.  Those will be marked as ‘advanced’.