These genres will be analysed with a view to describing their purposes, history and context, cultural significance, the devices employed, and appreciation. The course will go beyond conversational Tongan to more sophisticated productive skills such as narrating myths and legends, describing geographical features, and describing features of Tongan culture. There will be more detailed treatment of aspects of the language such as possession, parts of speech, and tense and aspect. I First Semester Instruction in the basic Tongan music and dance forms. Two to four basic music and dance items will normally be taught during the semester.
Emphasis is on reading and writing.
Some literary works such as poetry will be studied, covering poetic devices, including the use of proverbs. Emphasis will be on critical evaluation of existing works and independent interpretations of these aspects of Tongan linguistics. First Semester Practical instruction in Tongan performing arts requiring familiarity with fundamental performance skills. Concentration on the competent performance of more formal or traditional items of the repertoire. Detailed examination of relationships between music and dance forms and context.