SAMOAN
BOOKS

Before Samoa had books, they retained knowledge and passed it along to their children in a rich oral tradition. Here women are weaving baskets and telling stories. They could be telling stories for the education of their aiga children. A man once told me that to know the real fa'a Samoa you have to find a person who knows the old stories and listen and learn. I have had many requests for books and materials on Samoa. Here are some books that may be useful.

Downs, EA
EVERYDAY SAMOAN
Southern Reprints; Auckland; orig ISBN/Code: 0909053146 NZ$ 11.95 140pp softcover
A Samoan grammar, "elucidated by the use of numerous examples from ordinary conversation in the Samoan language."

Hunkin, Galumalemana Afeleti L
GAGANA SAMOA: A SAMOAN LANGUAGE COURSEBOOK
Polynesian Press; Auckland; 1988 ISBN/Code: 0908597045 NZ$ 29.95 143pp softcover
A modern language resource designed for both classroom and personal use; a methodical approach with emphasis on patterns of speech and communication, oral skills supplemented by cassette, and an introduction to the wider culture of fa'asamoa through photographs. Illust. B&W.

Hunkin, Galumalemana Afeleti
GAGANA SAMOA: ORAL SKILLS CASSETTE
Polynesian Press; Auckland; 1988 ISBN/Code: 0908597088 NZ$ 14.95
Oral skills cassette to accompany the coursebook, Gagana Samoa.

Pratt, Rev. George
PRATT'S GRAMMAR AND DICTIONARY: SAMOAN - ENGLISH
Southern Reprints; Auckland; orig ISBN/Code: 090871209X NZ$ 28.95 416pp softcover
A grammar and dictionary of the Samoan language, originally published for the London Missionary Society.

Milner, G.B.
SAMOAN DICTIONARY: SAMOAN-ENGLISH, ENGLISH-SAMOAN
Polynesian Press; Auckland; 1993 ISBN/Code: 0908597126 NZ$ 39.95 Ii,465pp hardcover
First published in 1966, this dictionary was commissioned by the Governments of Western and American Samoa. A distinguished linguist, G.B.Milner has taken care to keep a proper balance between traditional and modern words and concepts. Oratory has been illustrated through proverbial sayings. Zoological as well as botanical information is also provided.

Allardice, RW
SIMPLIFIED DICTIONARY OF MODERN SAMOAN,
A Polynesian Press; Auckland; 1985 ISBN/Code: 0908597029 NZ$ 29.95 228pp softcover
Samoan to English, and English to Samoan, with a guide to pronunciation, grammar, the language of courtesy and a selection of proverbs.

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