NonSamoan

NonSamoan is an adjective and noun used to describe a person who is not of Samoan ethnicity or nationality. In standard English, the term is typically written non-Samoan (with a hyphen). The form nonSamoan can appear as a stylistic variant, especially in branding, usernames, or digital contexts, but is less common in formal writing.

Scope and usage: Samoan identity can refer to people from the islands of Samoa or to those of Samoan descent. NonSamoan describes individuals who are not part of that ethnic or national group. In demographic and scholarly work, non-Samoan is used to categorize populations within a given locale, institution, or study sample. The term is descriptive and non-prescriptive, and its appropriateness depends on context and sensitivity to identity.

Ethnicity and nationality: Samoa is a nation with a Samoan ethnic majority; nationality includes citizens of Samoa and American Samoa. NonSamoan encompasses residents who are not part of these groups, including other Pacific peoples, immigrants, tourists, and locals of different heritage. The term is primarily used for classification rather than as a fixed identity.

Ethical and cultural considerations: Labeling individuals as nonSamoan can obscure the diversity and complexities of personal identity. In research and official contexts, it is preferable to rely on self-identification and to use more precise terms (for example, Samoan, Pacific Islander, or a specific nationality) whenever possible. See also Ethnicity, Nationality, Demonym, Samoa, American Samoa.