Numbers: Difference between revisions
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'''Numbers''' in Toki Pona are unusual among languages, even constructed ones. Rather than {{w|positional notation}}, where the "three" in "twenty three" is treated differently than in "three thousand", number words in Toki Pona are simply added together ({{w|sign-value notation}}). |
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==Simple system== |
==Simple system== |
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As modifiers, the words {{tp|[[wan]]}} and {{tp|[[tu]]}} can mean 1 and 2 respectively. However, they can still mean other things in context. |
As modifiers, the words {{tp|[[wan]]}} and {{tp|[[tu]]}} can mean 1 and 2 respectively. However, they can still mean other things in context. |
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{{Example |
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|mi wile e ilo <mark>tu</mark> e linja <mark>wan</mark>. |
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}} |
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Any numbers above 2 can be expressed with {{tp|[[mute]]}}. |
Any numbers above 2 can be expressed with {{tp|[[mute]]}}. |
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{{Example |
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|soweli <mark>mute</mark> li mu. |
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}} |
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==Advanced system== |
==Advanced system== |
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Alternatively, number words can be strung together in descending order to form larger numbers by addition. (This is often compared to {{ |
Alternatively, number words can be strung together in descending order to form larger numbers by addition. (This is often compared to {{w|Roman numerals}}, but unlike those, Toki Pona numbers aren't subtracted when a larger one is placed after a smaller one.) |
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{{Example|akesi <u>tu wan</u> li tawa.|<u>Three</u> lizards are moving.}} |
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{{Example |
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|akesi <mark>tu wan</mark> li tawa. |
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|<mark>Three</mark> lizards are moving. |
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}} |
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Outside of {{tp|wan}} and {{tp|tu}}, the words {{tp|[[luka]]}}, {{tp|mute}}, and {{tp|[[ale]]}} can mean 5, 20, and 100 respectively. |
Outside of {{tp|wan}} and {{tp|tu}}, the words {{tp|[[luka]]}}, {{tp|mute}}, and {{tp|[[ale]]}} can mean 5, 20, and 100 respectively. |
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{{Example|mi sitelen e kala <u>luka</u> tu.|I drew seven (<u>5</u>+2) fish.<br> |
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{{Example |
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|mi sitelen e kala <mark>luka</mark> tu. |
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|I drew seven (<mark>5</mark> + 2) fish.<br> |
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}} |
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==Ordinals== |
==Ordinals== |
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{{nimi |
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| nanpa |
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| image = Numbers grid in NY.jpg |
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| PoS = content word |
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| compact = y |
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}} |
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{{Main|nanpa}} |
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As a particle, {{tp|[[nanpa]]}} goes before a number phrase to mark it as an ordinal. (This can sound similar to English, e.g. {{tp|nanpa wan}} corresponds to "number one".) |
As a particle, {{tp|[[nanpa]]}} goes before a number phrase to mark it as an ordinal. (This can sound similar to English, e.g. {{tp|nanpa wan}} corresponds to "number one".) |
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{{Example |
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(As a content word, {{tp|nanpa}} refers to the concept of numbers.) |
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{{Example|[[ilo nanpa|ilo <u>nanpa</u>]] li ken <u>nanpa</u> e tenpo.|The <u>number</u> tool can <u>count</u> time.}}<!-- unsure if too weird, ku lite has "count" at 4 but that's probably as a noun --> |
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|The thi<mark>rd</mark> bird heard a word. |
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}} |
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===Non-numeric ordinals=== |
===Non-numeric ordinals=== |
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{{Nonstandard}} |
{{Nonstandard}} |
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Some speakers use {{tp|nanpa}} with non-number phrases. For example, the issues of {{tp|lipu tenpo}} are "numbered" with arbitrary [[content word]]s, |
Some speakers use {{tp|nanpa}} with non-number phrases. For example, the issues of {{tp|lipu tenpo}} are "numbered" with arbitrary [[content word]]s, such as {{tp|lipu tenpo nanpa akesi}}. |
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==Philosophy== |
==Philosophy== |
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Large numbers being inconvenient to express is an intentional choice by {{tok|[[jan Sonja]]}}, as she considered exact numbers to rarely be truly necessary.<ref>Yerrick, Damian ( |
Large numbers being inconvenient to express is an intentional choice by {{tok|[[jan Sonja]]}}, as she considered exact numbers to rarely be truly necessary.<ref>Yerrick, Damian (23 October 2002). [http://pineight.com/tokipona/tpreview.html "Toki Pona li pona ala pona? A review of Sonja Kisa's constructed language Toki Pona"]. ''Pin Eight''.</ref><!-- would prefer a pu citation or other direct word of Sonja --> |
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==Alternative number systems== |
==Alternative number systems== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references |
<references/> |
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{{Words}} |
{{Words}} |
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[[Category:Parts of speech]] |
[[Category:Parts of speech]] |
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Revision as of 09:13, 19 October 2023
Numbers in Toki Pona are unusual among languages, even constructed ones. Rather than positional notation, where the "three" in "twenty three" is treated differently than in "three thousand", number words in Toki Pona are simply added together (sign-value notation).
Simple system
As modifiers, the words wan and tu can mean 1 and 2 respectively. However, they can still mean other things in context.
mi wile e ilo tu e linja wanmi wile e ilo tu e linja wan.
I want two tools and one string.
I want a cutting tool (scissors) and a unifying sheet (tape).
Any numbers above 2 can be expressed with mute.
soweli mute li musoweli mute li mu.
Many animals are making noises.
Advanced system
Alternatively, number words can be strung together in descending order to form larger numbers by addition. (This is often compared to Roman numerals, but unlike those, Toki Pona numbers aren't subtracted when a larger one is placed after a smaller one.)
akesi tu wan li tawaakesi tu wan li tawa.
Three lizards are moving.
Outside of wan and tu, the words luka, mute, and ale can mean 5, 20, and 100 respectively.
mi sitelen e kala luka tumi sitelen e kala luka tu.
I drew seven (5 + 2) fish.
I drew two hand-fish (perhaps octopuses).
Ordinals
  | |
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| Pronunciation | /ˈnan |
|---|---|
| Usage | 2023: Core (100% ↗︎ )2022: Core (99%) |
| Book and era | nimi pu |
| Part of speech | Content word |
| Codepoint | U+F193D |
As a particle, nanpa goes before a number phrase to mark it as an ordinal. (This can sound similar to English, e.g. nanpa wan corresponds to "number one".)
waso nanpa tu wan li kute e nimiwaso nanpa tu wan li kute e nimi.
The third bird heard a word.
Non-numeric ordinals
Some speakers use nanpa with non-number phrases. For example, the issues of lipu tenpo are "numbered" with arbitrary content words, such as lipu tenpo nanpa akesi.
Philosophy
Large numbers being inconvenient to express is an intentional choice by jan Sonja, as she considered exact numbers to rarely be truly necessary.[1]
Alternative number systems
A common project among tokiponists is creating other ways to express numbers in the language. Some of them are made as serious proposals, whether to "improve" the language or for personal writings. Others are explicitly intended to be humorous, such as nasin nanpa kijetesantakalu.
References
- ↑ Yerrick, Damian (23 October 2002). "Toki Pona li pona ala pona? A review of Sonja Kisa's constructed language Toki Pona". Pin Eight.