This text investigates the grammatical structure and syntactic properties of the Niuean language. Diane Massam, a professor of linguistics, provides a formal analysis of this Austronesian language, focusing on its unique word order and case-marking systems. The book utilizes data from native speakers and existing linguistic corpora to construct a comprehensive framework for understanding Niuean syntax.

Linguists and scholars of Austronesian languages recognize this work as a rigorous technical examination of Niuean grammar. The text is noted for its high level of academic density, making it a specialized resource for researchers in theoretical syntax.