NCEA Level 3 Lea Faka-Tonga key terms

The Polynesian language spoken mainly in Tonga and by Tongan communities abroad; it is the language being assessed in this exam and the medium for reading, writing and speaking tasks.

An explanation or account that sets out how or why something happens, often used as a text type where the writer clarifies a process, idea or situation for a reader.

To compose or create a piece of writing, such as a story, poem or speech; also refers to the act of putting ideas together into an original text.

A story, narrative or discussion; in Tongan contexts it also carries the sense of talking things through together to build understanding and relationship.

A traditional folk tale or legend passed down orally, often featuring animals or supernatural events and used to teach values or explain customs.

A historical account or tradition handed down from earlier generations; it records events, genealogies or origins that a community regards as its heritage.

A genealogy or line of descent listing ancestors in order; it is central to Tongan identity, land rights and chiefly status, and is often recited on important occasions.

A king or supreme ruler; in Tongan history the title belongs to the highest chiefly line, and it appears frequently in historical and ceremonial texts.

A chief, noble or person of high rank; the word also conveys respect and is used in polite speech when referring to people of status.

Respect shown through language, behaviour and ceremony; in Tongan it shapes how people address elders, chiefs and strangers, and it is a common theme in texts studied.

Respectful or formal language used when speaking to or about people of high rank; it includes special vocabulary that replaces everyday words in formal settings.

Everyday or common speech used among people of equal status in informal situations; it contrasts with the respectful registers used for chiefs and elders.

Structure or organisation, especially the way ideas are arranged in a piece of writing or speech so that the audience can follow the argument or narrative.

The main theme, topic or subject of a text; identifying it helps a reader summarise what a piece is really about beyond its details.

Meaning or purpose; it can refer to the sense of a word or phrase, or to the reason behind an action or statement.

Translation or interpretation that conveys the meaning of one language into another; good practice focuses on sense rather than word-for-word substitution.

A vowel; Tongan has five vowels that may be short or long, and vowel length can change the meaning of a word, so it matters in reading and writing.

A consonant sound or letter; recognising consonant patterns helps with spelling, pronunciation and decoding unfamiliar words in Tongan texts.

A mark or symbol written above or beside a letter, such as the macron showing a long vowel or the glottal stop sign; these marks affect meaning and must be used correctly.

A macron, the horizontal mark placed over a vowel to show it is lengthened; omitting it can change a word's meaning, so it is checked carefully in formal writing.

The glottal stop, a speech sound and written mark representing a brief catch in the throat; in Tongan it distinguishes words that would otherwise look alike.

Grammar, the system of rules governing how words change form and combine into phrases and sentences; it is applied when checking accuracy in written and spoken Tongan.

A word; it may also mean a phrase or message depending on context, and understanding its range of senses is important for vocabulary questions.

Synonyms or words with similar meanings; recognising them allows a writer to vary vocabulary and a reader to infer meaning from context.

Words with opposite meanings, such as hot and cold; they are useful for describing contrast and for building precise comparisons in writing.

Figurative or idiomatic language whose meaning is not literal; recognising it requires cultural knowledge rather than word-by-word decoding.

A proverb or saying that carries shared wisdom; proverbs are used in speeches and writing to support a point and to show cultural knowledge.

A traditional performance art such as dance, singing or oratory; it is a common topic in listening and reading texts and links language to culture.

A large group performance combining dance, choral singing and poetry, performed at important occasions; texts about it often describe costume, movement and meaning.

A poem or song text, often composed for performance; analysing it involves looking at imagery, rhythm and the message it carries.

A ceremonial drink made from the root of a plant and shared in formal gatherings; the ceremony marks respect and social order and appears in cultural texts.

Land, country or people, often understood as the territory and community together; the concept carries belonging and identity in much Tongan writing.

Extended family or kin group connected by descent and marriage; obligations among kāinga shape social life and are a frequent theme in texts.

A home, household or plot of land where a family lives; it can refer to the dwelling, the land, or both together in everyday usage.

Tongan custom or the Tongan way of life, covering values, etiquette and expected behaviour; understanding it helps interpret characters' actions and authors' messages.

To learn or study, and also education as a process; it appears in texts about schooling, training and personal development.

A teacher or instructor; the term is used for people who guide learning in schools and other settings and appears in education-themed passages.

The name of a school or the school itself in some contexts, and part of many institution names; candidates should read it in context to decide its sense.

A church or religious denomination; religious life is prominent in Tongan communities and often features in reading and listening texts.

The government or governing authority; the term appears in news-style texts about policy, leadership and public services.

A committee, organisation or association formed for a shared purpose; such groups appear in texts about community projects and events.

A short summary that states the main points of a text in a few sentences; it tests whether a reader has grasped the overall message rather than details.