THE POLYNESIAN ALPHABET. 



29 



When we subject lawnmower to metathesis the resultant mawnlower 

 is represented by cabE. That is the symbol for all metathetics in 

 which the consonant of the latter syllable interchanges with the con- 

 sonant of the former syllable. 



When we subject haro to metathesis the resultant hurrah is repre- 

 sented by beca. That is the symbol for all metathetics in which the 

 vowel of the latter syllable interchanges with the vowel of the former 

 syllable. 



Accordingly we have now graphic representations of two primitive 

 types, consonantal and vocalic metathesis. In examining our Rapanui 

 examples of metathesis we shall have no difficulty in reduction to these 

 types, even in words more extensive than dissyllables. The only con- 

 fusion will arise where we have to deal with syllables which lack con- 

 sonants. Yet this confusion will vanish when we bear in mind that a 

 word lacking a second consonant, symbolized bae, is the same thing as 

 BACE, and that the symbol of its consonantal metathesis, abe, is really 

 the equivalent of cabe. Accordingly we thus arrange these examples, 

 the primitive form preceding in every pair. 



I. Consonantal Metathesis. 

 ABE. 



foe ohe (Mgv.) 



ABEDI. 



haere ahere 



II. Vocalic Metathesis. 



CAEDI. 



upoko puoko 



CADEI. 



aluga ragua 



dacei. 

 aluga garua 



BECA. 



pusa palm 

 tihe tehi 



tufa tabu 



ACIE. 



anu 



arm 



It will readily be comprehended that as yet our material is far too 

 scanty and that our method of codification is as yet too newly devised 

 to admit of such study as will establish the principles of this word muta- 

 tion. But now that comparison may systematically be established over 

 the whole Polynesian area it will not be long before the system of 

 metathesis will come to light, undoubtedly as simple as are all the 

 fundamental rules of this speech family. 



