Lexicalization: Difference between revisions
Content added Content deleted
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Lexicalization''' occurs when a phrase becomes solidified as a unit with a fixed meaning. An English example is "high school", which only means a secondary school for higher education. It cannot refer to a school that is physically high up. |
'''Lexicalization''' occurs when a phrase becomes solidified as a unit with a fixed meaning. An English example is "high school", which only means a secondary school for higher education. It cannot refer to a school that is physically high up. Even though [[Common lexicalizations|some phrases]] are in danger of becoming lexicalized through common use, Toki Pona tries to avoid lexicalization for various reasons. |
||
Although [[Common lexicalizations|some phrases are in danger of becoming lexicalized through common use]], [[Toki Pona]] tries to avoid lexicalization for various reasons. |
|||
==Philosophy== |
==Philosophy== |
||
The goal of Toki Pona is to break complicated concepts down into their important aspects, from the speaker's own perspective. This is dynamic |
The goal of Toki Pona is to break complicated concepts down into their important aspects, from the speaker's own perspective. This is a dynamic process as different features will be important at different times, in different [[context]]s, and in different perspectives. The lack of lexicalization is by design. The ''[[Toki Pona Dictionary]]'' confirms this with a "Warning Against Lexicalization!" in its "About the Dictionary" section: |
||
{{tp|[[ku]]}} confirms this with a "Warning Against Lexicalization!" in its "About the Dictionary" section: |
|||
<blockquote> |
<blockquote> |
||
Line 12: | Line 8: | ||
</blockquote> |
</blockquote> |
||
{{pu}} presents a car as an example against lexicalization. To a passenger, a car might be {{tp|tomo tawa}} ("moving room")<ref group="note">Ironically, {{tp|tomo tawa}} [[Common lexicalizations|has become semi-lexicalized]] anyway.</ref>. To its driver, it might be {{tp|ilo tawa}} ("going tool"). To a pedestrian that the car hit, it might be {{tp|kiwen tawa}} ("moving |
{{pu}} presents a car as an example against lexicalization. To a passenger, a car might be {{tp|tomo tawa}} ("moving room")<ref group="note">Ironically, {{tp|tomo tawa}} [[Common lexicalizations|has become semi-lexicalized]] anyway.</ref>. To its driver, it might be {{tp|ilo tawa}} ("going tool"). To a pedestrian that the car hit, it might be {{tp|kiwen tawa}} ("hard moving thing") or {{tp|kiwen utala}} ("hard hitting thing").<ref>Roc Morin (15 July 2015). [//theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/07/toki-pona-smallest-language/398363 "How to Say Everything in a Hundred-Word Language"]. ''The Atlantic''. "‘What is a car?’ Lang mused recently via phone from her home in Toronto. / ‘You might say that a car is a space that's used for movement,’ she proposed. ‘That would be {{tp|tomo tawa}}. If you’re struck by a car though, it might be a hard object that’s hitting me. That’s {{tp|kiwen utala}}.’"</ref> Beyond these examples, a parked car might not be {{tp|tawa}} at all, but {{tp|awen}} ("staying, unmoving"). Any phrase can refer to a car as long as there is appropriate context. |
||
Avoid trying to find "the phrase" for whatever concept you're trying to express. Think about it deeply. What is important about it to you? What is important to mention? |
|||
Many concepts also come with cultural baggage, not fitting into Toki Pona's perspective. Any such lexicalization would lose a lot of nuance or import meaning dependent on a language not spoken by all listeners. It would also defeat the insight that Toki Pona is meant to provide. |
Many concepts also come with cultural baggage, not fitting into Toki Pona's perspective. Any such lexicalization would lose a lot of nuance or import meaning dependent on a language not spoken by all listeners. It would also defeat the insight that Toki Pona is meant to provide. |
||
Line 39: | Line 35: | ||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
<references group="note" |
<references group="note"/> |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
<references |
<references/> |
||
{{General}} |
{{General}} |