THE ‘ETA (THE GLOTTAL STOP)

1. What is the ʻeta?

The ʻeta, also called the glottal stop, is a small orthographic sign used in Tahitian, looking like a reversed apostrophe: ʻ.

It represents a brief, clear pause in the voice, a glottal closure, like a small “cut” or break in the airflow.

2. Role of the ʻeta in the Tahitian language

• The ʻeta is a distinct sound, which affects the rhythm and pronunciation of words.

• It is essential because it can change the meaning of a word.

• In Tahitian, a word with or without an ʻeta can have two different meanings.

3. Examples

| Word without ʻeta | Word with ʻeta | Meaning |

| *maa* | *maʻa* | sugar / food |

| *faa* | *faʻa* | to do / to make |

| *tane* | *taʻane* | man |

4. How to pronounce the ʻeta?

• The ʻeta is pronounced as a short stop in the voice, a tiny silence.

• Imagine a brief pause, like a slight block or a small “catch” in the throat.

• It’s similar to the sound between the two “uh”s in the English expression “uh-oh.”

5. Importance of the ʻeta

• It is crucial to avoid confusion between words.

• Not respecting the ʻeta can cause misunderstandings.

• Therefore, it is essential to learn to recognize and pronounce it correctly.

6. Written use

• The ʻeta is always written in standard Tahitian, especially in official texts and school materials.

• It helps guide correct pronunciation and respects oral tradition.

Conclusion

The ʻeta is a key element of the Tahitian language, a real sound that shapes speech rhythm and changes word meaning. Mastering it is essential to speak and understand Tahitian well.