Samoan is a member of the Austronesian Languages.  Austronesian Languages are spoken around the world, including locations such as:  Maori, Tahiti, Hawaii and Tonga.   Austronesian languages are similar to other Polynesian languages.  Although, they are similar, there are regularly occurring changes to the language, therefore, the ‘rules’ for converting the language change as well.  

Map of where Austronesian Languages are spoken


The Samoan language is a large part of the Samoan culture, even though most of the people on the islands speak English just as well as their first language of Samoan.  The chiefs have a special level of language, that only those also as important can understand.  People such as politicians, or people who negotiate deals may understand this level of language that the chiefs speak.  There are also chiefs who speak the same language as the people.  These chiefs are the ones who represent the people and get things done.  

The only consonants in the language are:  p, t, m, n, g, f, v, and s.
Later letters such as: k, h, and r were added to the Samoan alphabet, for foreign and borrowed words.
The vowels are the same as in English: a, e, i, o and u.

The following link is a quick chart for converting Samoan words to English, however, native Samoans think that English speakers trying to speak Samoan are very funny, so “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”