Rapanui

This descriptive grammar text provides a perspective of the structure of Rapanui, the language of Easter Island. It covers the syntax, morphology, phonology and lexicon of the language. It also includes 800 illustrative sentences, each with gramatical analysis and translation.
Rapanui, the language of Easter Island, is in danger of extinction. A Polynesian language, closely related to Maori, it is spoken by less than 2000 people. Based on recordings made in the 1980s and on information provided by the islanders, the language is recorded before it dies out. All linguistic aspects are covered; the syntax, morphology, phonology and lexicon of the language. Just as importantly, it has been structured in such a way as to facilitate cross-language comparisons. There are over 800 illustrative sentences, each accompanied by interlinear grammatical analysis and translation. It also contains a Rapanui folk tale, in both the original and English.