Tongan: “Tefua-’a-Vaka-Lautala” ko ha tohi fatungalea kuo fakatoka ‘i he ‘Palanite Tonga’ ke ngäue’aki ki hono pulusi ‘o e ngaahi fa’u ‘i he ‘etau lea faka-Tongá. ‘Oku fakataumu’a ‘a e tohí ni ke poupou’i mo fakalaka’i e tohi ‘i he ‘etau lea faka-Tongá pea mo tokoni ki hono pukepuke mo fakakoloa ‘etau lea tu’ufonuá.
‘Uhinga ‘o e lea heliaki, Tefua-’a-Vaka-Lautala: Ko “Lautalá” ‘oku ha he tukutala ‘o Hä’ano, Ha’apaí ko e taulanga ‘iloa he fo’u vaká. Matamata ko e leá ni ne fatu he kuonga ne fa’a fakataha (tefua) hake ai e ngaahi vaka ‘o ono’aho ki he taulanga Lautalá (Hä’ano) ke fakahoko ha ngäue mahu’inga. ‘Oku ‘uhinga ‘a e kupu’i leá ni ki ha fakataha ‘a ha kakai nima poto mo taukei (tufunga fo’u vaka) ke fakahoko ha ngäue käfakafa mo faingata’a. Ko e ngäue ki hono pukepuke mo fakakoloa ‘etau lea ‘i he uhouhonga ‘o e fakamämanilahi (globalization) ko ha ngäue faingata’a, ka ‘e lava ‘änoa pë ‘o kapau te tau ngäue fakataha. ‘I he kuongá ni ‘oku tau folau he vahaopé (cyberspace) ki ha taulanga fo’ou (website) ke fakahoko ai e ngäue ki hono pukepuke ‘etau lea fakafonuá.
Kapau ‘oku ‘i ai ha’o fa’u ‘i he lea faka-Tongá pea ke kätaki ‘o ‘imeili mai kia Tevita O. Ka’ili (tkaili@planet-tonga.com)
English: “Tefua-’a-Vaka-Lautala” is a Tonga language journal established in ‘Planet-Tonga’ to publish writings in our Tongan language. The purpose of this language journal is to support writings in our Tongan language and to help maintain and enrich our indigenous language.
Meaning of the proverb, Tefua-’a-Vaka-Lautala [Gathering of the Lautala Boats]: “Lautala” is known in the oral tradition of Hä’ano, Ha’apai as a famous seaport for constructing canoes. Probably the proverb originated when canoes in ancient times gathered to the seaport of Lautala (Hä’ano) to undertake an important work. This proverb means the gathering of skilled and experienced people (canoe builders) to undertake a tremendous and difficult task. The work of maintaining and enriching our Tongan language within the heart of globalization is a difficult task, but it can be done if we work together. In this space age, we sail in cyberspace to a new seaport (website) to work on maintaining our native language.
If you have any writings in the Tongan language please e-mail Tevita O. Ka’ili (tkaili@planet-tonga.com)
