Denasalization

The subject of this article is nonstandard and will not be understood by most speakers.

If you are a learner, this information will not help you speak the language. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the standard style, and to be informed and selective about which nonstandard styles you adopt.

Denasalization is a sound change caused by no airflow through the nose. It can happen when a common cold blocks the sinuses.

In general, the voiced plosives [b d ɡ] would be interpreted as the Toki Pona phonemes /p t k/. However, [b d] are also close to denasal [m͊ n͊], which could be allophones of /m n/.

Denasalization suggests that nena mi ("my nose") could be pronounced as [ˈdeda bi] (compare "by doze"). Without considering denasalization, this pronunciation would be heard as *teta pi (compare "pie toes").