Natural semantic metalanguage

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Natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) is a theory in linguistics. It claims that languages can be simplified into a core, universal set of semantic primes, connected with syntactic frames that have equivalents in all languages.[1]

Toki Pona speech can be compared to explications in NSM. Both tend to have a heavy focus on circumlocution. However, the semantics of Toki Pona words are not quite as barebones as those of NSM primes, and some words cover multiple primes as a result.[2] Meanwhile, Toki Pona interestingly lacks direct expressions of several semantic primes.[2] Some are handled through grammatical particles, or can be translated as short phrases.[3] Others are much more technical to convey.

Semantic primes[edit | edit source]

The following table lists English[1] and core Toki Pona exponents of semantic primes. This may not indicate the grammar of NSM or Toki Pona. The prior sources are cited where accurate to the modern standard style of Toki Pona, and may not be fully accurate elsewhere.

Category English Toki Pona
Substantives I mi[3][2]
you sina[3][2]
someone jan[3][2]
people
(some)thing ijo[3][2]
body sijelo[3][2]
Relational substantives kind See Kinds.
part See Parts.
Determiners this ni[3][2]
the same sama[3][2]
other/else ante[3][2]
Quantifiers one wan[3][2]
two tu[3][2]
some See Some.
all ale/ali[3][2]
much/many mute[3][2]
little/few (mute) lili[2]
Evaluators good pona[3][2]
bad ike[3][2]
Descriptors big suli[3][2]
small (suli) lili[3][2]
Mental predicates think See Thoughts.
know sona[3][2]
want wile[3][2]
feel pilin[3][2]
see lukin[3][2]
hear kute[3][2]
Speech say toki[3][2]
words nimi[3][2]
true lon[3][2]
Actions, events, movement do See Actions.
happen
move tawa[3][2]
Location, existence, specification be (somewhere) lon[3][2]
there is
be (someone/something) Any noun used after li[2]
(jan, ijo, etc.)
Possession (is) mine (ijo/jo) mi[4]
Life and death live See Life.
die moli[3][2]
Time when/time tenpo[3][2]
now See Here and now.
before See Before and after.
after
a long time tenpo suli[3]
a short time tenpo lili[3][2]
for some time See Some.
moment tenpo[2]
Space where/place ma[3]
here See Here and now.
above (lon) sewi[3][2]
below (lon) anpa[3][2]
far (lon) weka[2]
near (lon) poka[3]
side poka[3]
inside insa[3][2]
touch pilin[2]
Logical concepts not ala[3][2]
maybe (lon) ken (la)[3][2]
can ken[3][2]
because tan (ni:)[3][2]
if la[2] / lon ni:
Intensifier, augmentor very mute[3]/suli/a
more See Comparisons.
Similarity like/as/way sama[5]/nasin[2]

Semantic molecules[edit | edit source]

Under construction This section needs work. If you know about this topic, you can help us by editing it. (See all)

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

English Wikipedia has an article on
natural semantic metalanguage.
  1. 1.0 1.1 "What is NSM". Griffith University. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 Daniel K Lyons. (27 April 2017). "Natural Semantic Metalanguage and Toki Pona". Daniel’s blog. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38 3.39 3.40 3.41 [liz, simonm]. (22 September 2003). "[probably OT] Perl in Natural Semantic Metalanguage". PerlMonks. Retrieved 24 April 2024. (Copy: (1 March 2009). "TP semantic prime words". Dave's wiki. PBworks. Retrieved 24 April 2024.)
  4. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 123.
  5. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 116.