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Phatic expressions and social conventions (edit)

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A [[wikipedia:Phatic expression|'''phatic expression''']] is a word or phrase that serves a social function instead of sharing information. English phatic expressions include "hello", "thank you", and "I'm sorry".
 
[[Toki Pona]] has very few phatic expressions, and actively tries to avoid them in favor of more explicit and context-specific expressions. Because phatic phrases are automatic, not only would they be a form of [[lexicalization]], but they would ring hollow. Instead, experimentation is encouraged.
== Phatic Expressions in general ==
A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phatic_expression phatic expression] is a word or phrase that serves a social function instead of an information-sharing function.
 
In general, toki pona has very few phatic expressions, and actively tries to avoid them in favor of more explicit and context-specific expressions
 
== Politeness ==
tokiToki ponaPona is often described as "polite by default", butbecause it has no modes of speech that automatically relay politeness. But a better description is that it's ''<em>sincere''</em> by default. InSpeakers general, it'sare expected that peopleto say what they mean and mean what they say. For toki pona, beingBeing direct, clear, and sincere <em>is</em> what constitutes polite speech. ThisToki is partly because indirect or euphemistic speech is often confusing or unclear. Because toki ponaPona is already vague, and when that's combined with phrases that talk ''<em>around''</em> an idea rather than describe it honestly, it can cause confusion. Indirect or euphemistic speech becomes even more unclear.
 
== Specific Expressions ==
 
== Specific expressions ==
=== Greeting ===
An interjection often used for greeting is "''toki"''. This works especially well to begin a conversation. However, other phrases and sentences may work as well or better in different circumstances. Here are some examples:
 
*When joining an existing group or conversation: ''mi lon''
*Joining an existing group or conversation:
*When reacting to someone joining: ''sina lon''
*;''mi lon''
*When signalling your presence: ''mu''
*:I exist
*When other people go "mu": ''mu''
*Reacting to someone joining:
*When wanting people's attention: ''sina o''
*;''sina lon''
*No situation ''requires'' a greeting, so just jumping into the conversation is valid
*:You exist
*Signaling your presence:
*;''mu''
*When other people go ''mu'':
*;''mu''
*Getting people's attention:
*;''sina o'', or [[Names|[name]]] ''o'' if known
*:"Hey you"
*No situation <em>requires</em> a greeting, so just jumping into the conversation is valid.
 
In practice, greetings tend to not be about the time of the day.
 
A good conversation starter is ''sina seme?''. This works for "who are you?", "how are you?", "what are you doing?", "what have you been up to?", and more. Unlike in English, where you must reply to "how are you?" with "fine" even if you aren't fine, ''sina seme?'' is meant literally. Expect a real, detailed answer if you use it, and feel free to give one if you are asked.
 
=== Parting ===
When you are leaving a conversation, you can indicate this by describing what you are doing that will stop you from talking further. Some examples:
 
* When leavingLeaving for somewhere else: ''mi tawa''
*;''mi tawa''
* When taking a break or going to bed: ''mi lape''
*:I go
* When beginning or resuming work: ''mi pali''
*Taking a break or going to bed:
* When noticing that you should be getting food: ''mi o moku''
*;''mi lape''
* When your game starts: ''musi mi li open''
*:I sleep
*Beginning or resuming work:
*;''mi pali''
*:I work
*Noticing that you should be getting food:
*;''mi o moku''
*:I should eat
*When your game starts:
*;''musi mi li open''
*:My game started
*You can also just depart.
 
Often, others will respond to this indication with a related well-wishing - "&mdash;''tawa pona"'', "''lape pona"'', etc. - &mdash;or with a general one.
 
Much as with greetings, you can also just depart.
 
=== Well-wishing ===
todo
 
=== ThanksGratitude and Gratitudecompliments ===
Often, the best way to express gratitude is by literally stating what you are thankful for. For example:
toki pona doesn't have a short or direct word for "thanks", for two reasons
* toki pona does not have modes of talking that automatically relay politeness, which sometimes lead to toki pona being described as "polite by default"
* it also tries to avoid "phatic" phrases that are automatic and not very meaningful, at least in part due to avoid [[Lexicalization|lexicalization]]
 
*For someone's teaching:
So there's two main ways to express what "thanks" tries to do in English; short phrases, or a longer explanation.
*;''sina pona tan pana sona.''
*:You are good because of giving of knowledge.
*That someone gave a present:
*;''sina pana e ijo pona la sina pona''
*:You gave something good so you are good.
 
A useful mindset to employ here is [//fearofletterwriting.tumblr.com/post/130404141351/specific-positivity specific positive feedback]. Vague praise is easily doubted or deflected as a platitude. You can give specific details to convince the other person that they are worthy of your compliment.
Common short phrases are: pona; sina pona; pona tawa sina.
Those each mean: good, you are good, goodness to you
(more or less)
 
There are some common short phrases that can roughly correspond to "thanks". These include ''pona'', ''sina pona'', and ''pona tawa sina''. Respectively, these mean "good", "you are good", and "goodness to you" (similar to "peace be with you").
Another way, which is often better, is to express what you're thankful for;
If someone is teaching, for example, you can express that:
sina pona tan pana sona
you are good because giving knowledge
 
=== Sorries ===
Or if someone gave a present, you might say:
In English, "sorry" is used for multiple social functions. You can use it to apologize, but also to express sympathy with someone else's misfortune. Toki Pona has nothing that combines these meanings. Instead, you would express the idea more directly.
sina pana e ijo pona la, sina pona
you gave a good thing, so, you are good
 
A useful mindset to employ here is [https://fearofletterwriting.tumblr.com/post/130404141351/specific-positivity specific positive feedback]. Describe narrowly a good that you are grateful for. For example, "sina pana e sona pona" - you gave good knowledge.
 
But as with many things in toki pona, there's many ways to express yourself.
Experiment! o pona
==="Sorry"===
In English, "sorry" is used for multiple social functions. You can use it for apologizing but also to express sympathy with someone else's unfortunate situation. toki pona doesn't have a single direct word that combines those meanings in the way English does, instead you'd express the idea more directly.
 
==== Expressing sympathy ====
Line 68 ⟶ 75:
 
==== Apologizing for small or insignificant errors ====
A common way is to recogniserecognize or mention your mistake, such as:
:;a, pakala mi
::Something like my bad.
:;a, mi pakala
::Something like oh, I have made a mistake.
 
:;''pakala mi!''
You can also emphasise the fact by expressing what your mistake was.
::My mistake! / My bad!
:;a jan pona mi o, mi pakala (tan) ni: [reason]. pona o tawa sina
:;''a, mi pakala!''
::Something like my friend, I am sorry for [reason], I hope for your good very roughly.
::Oh, I made a mistake!
 
You can emphasize this by specifying what your mistake was:
 
:;''a, jan pona mi o, mi pakala ''(''tan'')'' ni: ''[reason]''. pona o tawa sina.''
::Oh, my friend, I made this mistake / messed up because of this: [reason]. May goodness go to you.
 
==== "True" apologies ====
todo
::
 
== ''pu'' phrase book ==
''[[Toki Pona: The Language of Good]]'' includes a "Phrase Book" section with some possible expressions for quick reference.
 
<blockquote>
{|
|''toki''
|hello!
|-
|''pona''
|great, thanks, OK
|-
|''pona tawa sina''
|peace be with you
|-
|''mi tawa''
|bye (said by person leaving)
|-
|''tawa pona''
|bye (said by person staying)
|-
|''mi wile (e ni)''
|please, I would like
|-
|''ale li pona''
|all is well, life is good, don’t worry
|-
|''ike a''
|oh dear, oh my
|-
|''lape pona''
|good night
|-
|''kama pona''
|welcome
|-
|''moku pona''
|enjoy your meal
|-
|''seme li sin?''
|what's new?
|-
|''sina pilin seme?''
|how are you feeling?
|-
|''a a a!''
|ha ha ha!
|-
|''mi kama sona e toki pona''
|I’m learning Toki Pona
|-
|''sina pona''
|you’re cool, I like you
|-
|''mi olin e sina''
|I love you
|-
|''tomo telo li lon seme?''
|where is the washroom?
|}
</blockquote>
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