From Formosan Roots to Polynesian Islands (Tsou & Rapa Nui)

Added: 2026-05-08

[00:00:00]So, Rapa Nui.

[00:00:02]That So language is another Austronesian language spoken by that So indigenous people in the mountainous Alishan region of central southern Taiwan. It has several dialects, including Tapangu, Tfuya, Duchtou, and Imutsu, and about 4,100 speakers were reported in the mid-2010s.

[00:00:24]Linguistically, So has traditionally been grouped with the Tsouic languages along with Kanakanavu and Saaroa.

[00:00:32]Although some modern linguistic classifications treat So as more divergent within Austronesian. Like many indigenous languages of Taiwan, So faces pressure from dominant languages such as Mandarin Chinese, which affects intergenerational transmission. Rapa Nui is a Polynesian language spoken by a small community of about 1,500 to 3,000 people on Easter Island or Rapa Nui, a remote territory of Chile in the southeastern ocean. It belongs to the Eastern Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family and is closely related to languages like Hawaiian and Maori. Due to colonization and the dominance of Spanish, Rapa Nui is considered endangered, though revitalization efforts are ongoing. The language is an important symbol of cultural identity for the Rapa Nui people and is used in local traditions, songs, and daily life alongside Spanish.

[00:01:30]Tsoni. Etahi. Yuso. Erua. Tuyu. Etoru.

[00:01:38]Septe. Eha. Eimo. Erima. Nomu. Eono.

[00:01:46]Pitu. Ehitu.

[00:01:48]Vayu. Evau. Sio. Eiva.

[00:01:54]Masku. Katahi an ahuru.

[00:01:57]Amomia ta pepe. Te hut soe nuto tsof koya chi on kosu e tso. Ete matua o matua o te rangi e. Te meha nga he moa o te tanga ta da toa i tui nga Te kot soa tuktsa e puk pulu. Hio ata tsiwa na toh ungusu. Mais anola ko hio ane pepe. E he hakare atu mahaka tere o yaraua. E hakata no i itame hanga i te ao nei. Pa hakata no i nga atu ota meha nga ite rangi.

[00:02:34]Ofi no te mia tikha chi oanu mai tan e.

[00:02:39]E vai mai koe ari na tomato ote kai.

[00:02:44]Peu uswa ho la mia mi usnu so ho peis epo. Mais a ho la mia peu uswa o la mi usnua mi ho peis epo chi tso.

[00:02:57]E hakakore koe ite matu hara. Pa hakare hui nga o matu ite me i noa nga mai ite rua.

[00:03:05]Tev apoa elu no a te mia paswo a chi huswuta. To usnia mi ho momeshi i no i mutsu no kokuzo. E ite hora ote hakatu mai inakoe ko hakare yamatu moviriki otoi te hara. E hakare akore yamatu mai roto ite rima o rugifero.