TAHTN 202 - Second year Tahitian

Winter 2021
Section 001: on Tuesdays (in class) and Thursdays (via ZOOM) from 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm

The link to the Thursday zoom class can be found on Learning suite, under the “online” tab section.

Instructor Information

Instructor: Valmene Whippy

Office: JKB 4086 By Appointment

Email: valmenewhippy@gmail.com

Course Description
Tahitian is the principle language of this course. I will speak almost exclusively Tahitian. However, I will also use English
to explain some concepts from time to time. The primary focus of this “special course” will be on using Tahitian to explore
the literature, culture, and history of the native speakers of Tahiti. The courses will also give attention to grammar,
pronunciation, and similar matters in order to improve skills of interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of
communication in Tahitian.

Course Materials
There are no required materials for this course. However, you are required to access online materials when prompted.
Some useful online resources are listed below.

Te Buka a Moromona (The book of Mormon)

https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-scriptures/book-of-mormon/06897_1946-00-0000-book-of-mormon-33572-tah.pdf

Fare Vana’a online dictionary

http://www.farevanaa.pf/dictionnaire.php

Learning outcomes

Communication Skills

In both written and spoken target language, communicate with reasonable accuracy about real-world activities with well-
educated members of the target-culture accustomed to dealing with non-native speakers.

Comprehension

Understand every-day written and verbal instructions. Comprehend concrete details and global meaning of intermediate-
level written and spoken passages related to familiar topics that native speakers encounter routinely in their daily life.

Cultural Knowledge

Discuss in the target language cultural practices related to every-day life in the target culture. Acquire basic background
knowledge of important achievements related to the target culture (birth, death, weddings, historical figures and events,
major literary and artistic movements, government and religious institutions, etc.).

Grading scale
Grading Policy

Your grade will be based on the following:

Attendance and participation (10%)*

Quizzes (5%)
Journal and extensive entry (5%)*
Translation homework (10%)
Presentations/ Projects (20%)
Midterm (20%)
Final exam (30%)
Extra Credits (5%)

Final grades are determined after all course work has been completed. I reserve the right to adjust your grade if needed.

Participation Policy

Your participation is graded based on the percent of time you fully participate in class. You lose part of your participation
percentage for being late, leaving class early, sleeping in class, using electronic devices, doing homework from other
classes, not being prepared (for example not reading the assigned materials), or for not participating actively in a class
activity.

Attendance Policy

You are expected to attend all class sessions either in person or by Zoom. If you fall ill or are required to isolate or
quarantine, please contact me directly to make the necessary arrangements. Remember that our class on Tuesdays is
held in person, and by zoom on Thursdays. You will be able to access the Zoom link on the "Online" tab of Learning Suite.
When attending Zoom, you should mute your microphone except when participating in discussions. Also, your video
MUST be turned on. A black- out screen will not be acceptable. Please ensure that you have a device with a functioning
camera and that you are in an appropriate location for zoom conferencing without distractions such as roommates, loud
noises, awkward lighting, etc. If you are too sick to even attend Zoom, you are still responsible for viewing the archived
Zoom recording of class and should complete this and notify me when you have viewed each class session in order to get
credits for attendance.

Teaching philosophy
Tahitian 202 is an exciting, fun-filled adventure into the Tahitian language, literature, history and culture. This class will
require a lot of effort on your part for you to be successful. You should know that my goal is to provide you with
opportunities to use and learn more about the Tahitian language. All I want from you is good work and your presence and
full attention in class. We want to learn about Tahiti and its very soul. There is a body of knowledge and a certain set of
language skills which I will help you acquire. If there is something I can do to help, please, let me know, I am here to help
you succeed in mastering this beautiful Polynesian language you came to love whether it was during your 2 years or 18
months mission or not.

Classroom procedures

We will start our class with a prayer followed by a spiritual thought. You will sign up for a day to share your spiritual
thoughts.

Assignments
I will assume in class that you have already read the reading assignment for that day. Much of what we do in class will be
based on the reading assignments. I will often provide additional materials for you to read prior to the next class.

● Attendance and Participation (10%)

In class devotional
At the beginning of class, you will have 5 minutes to share a spiritual thought. This could be reading a scripture passage
in Tahitian or a quote from a general conference in Tahitian. You will also share your insights with us. I will pass out a sign
up sheet.

Readings
I will provide the reading materials for this class. You are expected to read them and come to class prepared. This will
count towards your participation points.
Interview activity*
During some of our zoom classes, I will run an individual interview. This activity will allow you to not only practice
your pronunciation, but could also be a time to perfect it or ask any questions you may have on the pronunciation of
certain words.

Digital Dialogues *
From time to time you will be prompted to answer a question and comment on your classmates responses. You will
complete this assignment on Learning suite through a digital dialogue. The teacher will let you know when you will need to
do this.

● Quizzes (5%) *

There will be quizzes given throughout the course. A description of the assignment is given below:

- Quiz questions: You will submit your questions on the digital dialogue section on Learning Suite. That way you
each get to see each other's questions. You will provide 5 vocabulary questions and 1 grammar question.
These questions are due every Thursday before class. Questions can cover anything we have studied in class
since the beginning of the semester and not just what we have learned that week.

- Vocabulary and grammar quiz (in class): Every Tuesday, we will have a quiz in class. You will do well on the quiz
if you remember what you have submitted as possible questions on the digital dialogue.

- Grammar quiz ( on Learning Suite): There won’t be any more grammar quiz to take on your own. It will be included
with the one we do in class on Tuesdays.

● Translation homework (10%)

Throughout the semester, you will be assigned to translate 2 texts from English to Tahitian and 2 texts from Tahitian to
English to sharpen your writing skills and your language comprehension
 ● Journal entry and extensive log (5%) *

Journal entry *
Once a week, you will submit a short journal entry in Tahitian in response to an assigned prompt. Your journal entry
should have at least 6 sentences. You will submit this assignment weekly on Learning Suite before the beginning of each
Tuesday class. The purpose of this assignment is to improve your thinking and writing in Tahitian.

Extensive log*
Every week (Monday-Friday), you are required to read, speak, and listen for a total of 2 hours in Tahitian. Anything that
you do throughout the week that exposes yourself to Tahitian materials (videos or articles for example) will receive credits.
You will report your log on Learning suite by using the provided extensive log form. Logs are due every Saturday by
midnight.

● Presentations/ project (20%)

Individual oral presentation*

Throughout the semester, you will have two 15-20 minutes presentations (PowerPoint, role play, song, . . .) about the
weekly topic you are interested in, and about the weekly grammar rule. I encourage you to be creative by using a poster
collage, illustrated timeline, skit, board game, game show, crossword puzzle, show and tell object lesson, etc.

Group presentation
At the end of the semester, you will be assigned to present as a group on a topic of your choice. The presentation will be
given in Tahitian. Each group will present for at least 35 minutes. I will give more information about this assignment later
on in the semester. Feel free to be creative!

● Midterm (20%)
You are required to take 1 midterm on the scheduled date. It will be in the classroom.

● Final exam (30%)

There will be 2 parts for the finals. The first part will be an interview with me. The second part will be done on Learning
Suite. I will explain more about it throughout the semester.

● Extra credit (5%)

A personally composed and written Tahitian song with lyrics will surely give you extra credit. You may also summarize in 2
pages in Tahitian a talk by any speakers during the October 2020 General Conference or participate in cultural activities
that reflect the kinds of things you are studying in class. You will report on the cultural activities at the final exam.

Late Work Policy*

Homework receives full credit if it is done on time (by the due date and time). You may turn in late homework for partial
points if you talk to me. No late work is accepted after 5 days. Any assignments submitted after that should receive a
0. Students with excused absences (including COVID) will be given two weeks to make up missing homework without
penalty.

Learning Suite
Learning Suite will be used throughout the course.

**A calendar with the above assignments due date can be found at the end of this document.

University Policies
Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work.
Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and
not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action
by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates
respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's
expectation, and every instructor's expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please
call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Preventing & Responding to Sexual Misconduct

Brigham Young University prohibits all forms of sexual harassment—including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic
violence, and stalking on the basis of sex—by its personnel and students and in all its education programs or activities.
University policy requires all faculty members to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment that come to their
attention in any way and encourages reports by students who experience or become aware of sexual harassment.
Incidents should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692 or 1085 WSC.
Reports may also be submitted online at https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day). BYU offers a
number of resources and services for those affected by sexual harassment, including the university's confidential Sexual
Assault Survivor Advocate. Additional information about sexual harassment, the university's Sexual Harassment Policy,
reporting requirements, and resources can be found in the University Catalog, by visiting http://titleix.byu.edu, or by
contacting the university's Title IX Coordinator.

Student Disability
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates
qualified persons with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major
life activities. Whether an impairment is substantially limiting depends on its nature and severity, its duration or expected
duration, and its permanent or expected permanent or long-term impact. Examples include vision or hearing impairments,
physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention
disorders (e.g., ADHD). If you have a disability which impairs your ability to complete this course successfully, please
contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC or 801-422-2767 to request a reasonable accommodation.
The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. If you feel you have been unlawfully
discriminated against on the basis of disability, please contact the Equal Employment Office at 801-422-5895, D-285 ASB
for help.
 TAHITIAN 202 – Winter 2021
Assignments Subject to Change

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Week 1 January 11 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 15 January 16
Introduction/Diagnostic/ Te reo Tahiti, te mau ZOOM
syllabus ta’ata Tahiti Syllabus/ Calendar
Grammar: Lesson 1 & 2
(Pronunciation/ articles)
Cultural aspect: Te reo
Tahiti, te mau ta’ata tahiti

Week 2 January 18 January19 January 20 January 21 January 22 January 23

Grammar: Lesson 3 & 4 NO CLASS Journal 1 ZOOM Digital dialogue #1
(numerals/ time) Submit quiz Vocabulary quiz (in
MLK Jr questions class) Week 1 Extensive log
Cultural aspect: Te utuafare
(the family) Memorial Day Log

Week 3 January 25 January 26 January 27 January 28 January 29 January 30

Grammar: Lesson 6&7, 8 ZOOM Grammar Quiz 1
(possession, pronoun, verb) Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz ( in LS
Cultural aspect: Te mau Questions class) Week 2 Extensive Log
ra’au Tahiti (Medicinal Journal 2 Interview Activity #1 Digital dialogue #2
plants) Translation 1 due

Week 4 February 1 February 2 February 3 February 4 February 5 February 6

Grammar: Lesson 8 & 9 ZOOM Digital dialogue #3
(verb, causative verb) Vocabulary quiz (in
Cultural aspect: Te mau peu Submit Quiz class) Week 3 Extensive Log
Tahiti i te tau tahito Journal 3 Questions Interview Activity #2
(Ancestral traditions)

Week 5 February 8 February 9 February 10 February 11 February 12 February 13

Grammar: Lesson 14 & 19 ZOOM
(location, direction, Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz (in Grammar Quiz 2
interrogatives) Journal 4 Questions class) LS Week 4 Extensive Log
Cultural aspect: Te taera’a Interview activity #3 Digital dialogue #4
mai o te evanelia (Religion)
Week 6 February 15 February 16 February 17 February 18 February 19 February 20
Grammar: Lesson 10 & 11 ZOOM
(the negative, verbal NO CLASS
sentences) Translation 2 due Week 5 Extensive Log
Journal 5 President’s Day Interview Activity #4 Digital dialogue #5
Cultural aspect: Te mau peu
Tahiti i teie tau (Tahiti
today, current events)

Week 7 February 22 February 23 February 24 February 25 February 26 February 27

Grammar: Lesson 12& 13 ZOOM
(Non verbal sentences, time MIDTERM
and frequency) Interview activity #5 Grammar Quiz 3
Cultural aspect: Te ma’a Journal 6 LS Week 6 Extensive Log
tahiti (Tahitian food) Digital dialogue #6

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Week 8 March 1 March 2 March 3 March 4 March 5 March 6

Grammar: Lesson 5& 15 ZOOM
(demonstrative, optional Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz (in
phrases) Questions class) Week 7 Extensive Log
Cultural aspect: Te mau Journal 7 Interview activity #6
himene e ori tahiti (music
and dance)

Week 9 March 8 March 9 March 10 March 11 March 12 March 13

Grammar: Lesson 16, 17 ZOOM Grammar Quiz 4
&18 (purpose and cause, Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz (in LS
imperatives, interrogatives) Questions class)
Cultural aspect: Te mau Journal 8 Interview Activity #7 Translation 3 due Week 8 Extensive Log
faufa’a to Tahiti (exported
goods)

Week 10 March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20

Grammar: Lesson 20 & 21 ZOOM
(dependent sentences I & II) Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz (in BYU spring break
Cultural aspect: BORA Questions class) Week 9 Extensive Log
BORA Journal 9 Interview Activity #8

Week 11 March 22 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27

Grammar: Lesson 22 &23 ZOOM
(special verb forms, Submit Quiz Vocabulary quiz (LS) Grammar Quiz 5
Questions NO CLASS- work on LS Week 10 Extensive Log
desideratives, necessitative, Journal 10 group presentation
conditional)
Cultural aspect: Tu’aroo e
te ora (sports and health)

Week 12 March 29 March 30 March 31 April 1 April 2 April 3

Grammar: Lesson 24
(Conjunctions)
Cultural aspect: Ua Rahu te
atua (politics, economy)
review
Group presentation
Group presentation REVIEW Translation 4 due Week 11 Extensive Log
Journal 11

Week 13 April 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 10

Journal 12 FINAL test part 1 FINAL TEST
REVIEW Interview Part 2

Week 12 Extensive Log

Week 14 April 12 April 13 April 14 April 15

Journal 13 Last day of class- Extra credits

your choice (cultural
day?)