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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2008 : 04:28:45 AM
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Just wondering, does anyone know of any commonly used add-on words or phrases that occur at the end of a line in a Hawaiian song? The two that I automatically think of are "la" and "'ea." Any others that I'm forgetting or don't know, maybe? I'm asking just in case I decide to compose more mele.
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He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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keoladonaghy
Lokahi
257 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 08:56:23 AM
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'Alika, I really wouldn't characterize them as "add-on" or "filler" kind of words. Sometimes they do function in that capacity, but I believe more often than not they also add a particular feel to the meaning, a sometimes untranslatable sense that is easily overlooked in translation.
I wouldn't worry about building a collection of these until you actually get to the point where you need something. If you write a line and sense a gap within or at the end of the phrase, sometimes it simply needs rephrasing or other words which do carry meaning within the phrase. As far as choosing whether to use things like lā, ʻeā, ahahana, ehehene, ē and such, the phrase itself will dictate which would be the appropriate one to use. I rarely, if ever anymore, see those kinds of words in songs and just think "tra-la-la" or that they are filler. |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 2:45:58 PM
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quote: Originally posted by keoladonaghy
'Alika, I really wouldn't characterize them as "add-on" or "filler" kind of words. Sometimes they do function in that capacity, but I believe more often than not they also add a particular feel to the meaning, a sometimes untranslatable sense that is easily overlooked in translation.
I wouldn't worry about building a collection of these until you actually get to the point where you need something. If you write a line and sense a gap within or at the end of the phrase, sometimes it simply needs rephrasing or other words which do carry meaning within the phrase. As far as choosing whether to use things like lā, ʻeā, ahahana, ehehene, ē and such, the phrase itself will dictate which would be the appropriate one to use. I rarely, if ever anymore, see those kinds of words in songs and just think "tra-la-la" or that they are filler.
Mahalo nui loa e Keola. It is a true pleasure to have you here in this 'ohana. You are so helpful to those who have language and composition questions. Mahalo once again. |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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