Language Structure Problems

Word Order: Hawaiian

Examine these data and answer the questions that follow:

1. kai uli
deep blue sea

2. kai ula
red sea

3. maka uli
black eye

4. noho nui
big chair

5. pihoihoi au
,i am excited

5. heluhelu au
i read

6. makemake au i ke puke
i want the book

7. makemake au i ke kalo
i want the taro

8. noho au ma Waimea
i live in waimea

9. ka manu ka maka o
the bird's eye


A. What is the order of object, subject and verb?

B. Does this language use prepositions or postpositions? C. What is the order of thing possessed and possesser?

D. What is the order of relative clause and noun?

E. What is the order of adjective and noun?

F. Do the findings above fit together as expected? Is this language head initial, head final or a mixed case?