a: Difference between revisions

From sona pona, the Toki Pona wiki
Browse history interactively
Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m (Undo revision 17377 by Jan Pensa (talk))
Tag: Undo
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Hatnote|This article is about the Toki Pona word. For the English word "a(n)", see [[Articles]].}}
{{Other license|ask|it was copied from ''[[ma pona pi toki pona]]''}}
{{nimi
| PoS = particle
}}
{{tp|a}} is a [[particle]] used to indicate emphasis and emotion.


== Function of a ==
==Function==
{{tp|a}} is used to add emotion or {{w|emphasis}} to a word, {{w|phrase}}, or sentence. It may also be used alone as an [[interjection]], meaning "ah", "oh", "uhm", among other words.
warning: in general, "a" is a very flexible word, its use can be different from person to person and is in general more broad than what is indicated here. nevertheless, these are some of the usual use-cases.


{{Example
"a" at the beginning of the sentence can mean "ah" or "oh":
|<mark>a</mark>! ni li pona tawa mi.
|<mark>Oh</mark>. This is good for me.
|<mark>a</mark>{{idsp}}ni li pona tawa mi
}}


{{Example
a ni li pona tawa mi - oh, this is good for me.
|ni li musi <mark>a</mark>!
|This is <mark>so</mark> fun!
|ni li musi <mark>a</mark>
}}


When {{tp|a}} is reduplicated, it is used to express laughter.
"a" at the end can emphasize the whole sentence.


{{Example
ni li pona tawa mi a - this is good for me! :)
|a a a!
|Hahaha!
|a a a
}}


===Marking emphasis===
"a" directly after a word can emphasize that word.


The word {{tp|a}} can be used either at the end of a sentence, adding emphasis (or emotion) to the entire sentence, or after a specific word or phrase to emphasize only that part of the sentence. When used at the end to emphasize the entire sentence, it can be seen as similar to using an {{w|exclamation mark}} in English.
ni li pona a tawa mi - this is great for me!


Here are examples of {{tp|a}} adding emphasis to different parts of the same sentence:
You can use it to basically underline a word:


{{Example
ona a li pali e tomo
|ona <mark>a</mark> li pali e tomo.
''She'' builds a house
|<mark><em>She</em></mark> builds a house.
|ona <mark>a </mark>li pali e tomo
}}
{{Example
|ona li pali <mark>a</mark> e tomo.
|She <mark><em>builds</em></mark> a house.
|ona li pali <mark>a </mark>e tomo
}}
{{Example
|ona li pali e tomo <mark>a</mark>.
|She builds <mark><em>a house</em></mark>.
|ona li pali e tomo <mark>a</mark>
}}


In the final sentence, the {{tp|a}} can also be seen as emphasizing the entire sentence, depending on context. Some people prefer to only use {{tp|a}} at the end of a sentence, and don't make the distinctions in the examples above.
ona li pali a e tomo
He ''builds'' a house


====Controversy====
ona li pali e tomo a
There is no clear community consensus on whether you need to use a {{tp|[[li]]}} when the subject of a sentence is {{tp|mi a}} or {{tp|sina a}}. Some feel that a {{tp|li}} is necessary because {{tp|mi a}} is similar to {{tp|mi kin}} or {{tp|mi taso}}, which both require a {{tp|li}} in standard Toki Pona. Others feel that a {{tp|li}} shouldn't be used, because {{tp|a}} is not a [[content word]]. In practice, both methods are used by different people.
They build a ''house''


In some cases, people will use {{tp|a}} in a [[pi|{{tp|pi}} phrase]] to emphasize a specific [[modifier]]. (E.g. {{tp|jan pi lili a}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://liputenpo.org/toki/nanpa-jaki/kulupu-kanse-la-jan-meli-li-kama-ken/|title=kulupu Kanse la jan meli li kama ken|lang=tok|website={{tp|lipu tenpo}}|author={{tok|jan Kasape}}|date=2023-05-14|access-date=2023-05-14|quote={{tok|jan li kama unpa li kama jo insa e jan pi lili a li wile e ona ala la seme li ken}}}}</ref>, equivalent to {{tp|jan lili}} with only the {{tp|lili}} emphasized.) This method is rare and is seen as ungrammatical or nonstandard by some people.
You can use it at the end of a sentence to basically emphasise the entire sentence (like an exclamation mark):


==={{tp|pu}}===
ni li pona a
In the "[[Dictionary (pu)|Official Toki Pona Dictionary]]" section, the book {{pu|en}} defines {{tp|a}} as:


{{pu def}}
That is great!!!


Notably, the book only shows examples of {{tp|a}} as an interjection or at the end of a sentence. The word isn't shown emphasizing a specific part of a sentence.
You can use it on its own or in front of sentences to just add any number of unspecified emotional exclamations:


==={{tp|ku}}===
a, mi sona
For {{ku|en}}, respondents in {{tp|[[ma pona pi toki pona]]}} translated these English words as {{tp|a}}:<ref>{{cite ku|199}}</ref>


{{ku data}}
Oh, ok, I understand


==History==
a pakala
In [[pre-pu]] sources, {{tp|a}} was only used as an emotion word and for laughter, not to mark emphasis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lesson 9 |website={{tok|o kama sona e toki pona!}} |author={{tok|jan Pije}} |url=http://bknight0.myweb.uga.edu/toki/lesson/lesson9.html |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630173023/http://bknight0.myweb.uga.edu/toki/lesson/lesson9.html |archive-date=2007-06-30 |quote={{tp|a}} is a word that expresses emotion or laughter.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tokipona.net/tp/ClassicWordList.aspx |url-status=unfit |title=Classic Word List (Improved!) |website=tokipona.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108010414/http://tokipona.net/tp/ClassicWordList.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-08 |quote=''interj'' ah, ha, uh, oh, ooh, aw, well (emotion word)}}</ref> Instead, {{tp|[[kin]]}} was used to mark emphasis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tokipona.net/tp/ClassicWordList.aspx |url-status=unfit |title=Classic Word List (Improved!) |website=tokipona.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108010414/http://tokipona.net/tp/ClassicWordList.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-08 |quote=''mod'' also, too, even, indeed (emphasizes the word(s) before it)}}</ref> The word {{tp|a}} was also only added at the end of a sentence, not in the middle.


In the 2014 book {{pu|en}}, [[Sonja Lang]] attempted to merge {{tp|a}} and {{tp|kin}} into one word,<ref>{{cite Discord |url=https://discord.com/channels/301377942062366741/301378960468738050/814051883823529994 |channel=learn-toki-pona-1 |server=ma pona pi toki pona |author=Sonja Lang |username=sonjalang |access-date=2024-05-14 |quote=for better or worse, i had the idea to merge kin and a in my book, but i don't think it's really taken off in usage. i personally use a and kin differently.}}</ref> adding "emphasis" to {{tp|a}}'s definition. The two words were not fully merged in community usage, but the meaning and usage of {{tp|a}} did shift as a result of this. {{tp|a}} is now widely used as an emphasis marker, and it can be used in the middle of a sentence, unlike pre-{{tp|pu}} usage of {{tp|a}} but similar to pre-{{tp|pu}} usage of {{tp|kin}}.
Aw crap


=={{tp|sitelen pona}}==
a a a
The {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}} glyph for {{tp|a}} ({{UCSUR char|{{codepoint|a}}}}) is composed of the [[Radicals|punctuation stem]] and the lowercase Latin letter A.


The letter A at the bottom is typically drawn in its single-story form '''&#x0251;''', usually resembling the Latin letter's handwritten forms more than in type. However, the letter A can occasionally also be seen written as its double-story form '''a''', or as the lower case Greek letter {{w|alpha}} ('''α''', resembling a mirrored {{tp|[[kala]]}} glyph). The punctuation stem can be drawn upright ({{sp|1=<span style="font-feature-settings:'ss16';">a</span>|font="sitelen seli kiwen asuki"}}) or at a diagonal ({{sp|1=<span style="font-feature-settings:'ss17';">a</span>|font="sitelen seli kiwen asuki"}}).
This signifies laughter like "hahaha"
== External resources ==
* [[pu]] Lesson 10
* [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/7.html jan Lentan Lesson 7]
* [https://sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/10 soweli Tesa Lesson 10]
* [https://jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/commands/ sitelen sitelen Interjections and Commands]
* [https://htmlpreview.github.io/?https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English/gh-pages/toki-pona-lessons_en/index.html#2659 kan Lope Interjections]


Compare the glyphs for {{tp|[[kin]]}}, {{tp|[[n]]}}, and {{tp|[[o]]}}.
[[Category:Particles]][[Category:Synonyms]]

=={{tp|sitelen sitelen}}==
The {{tp|[[sitelen sitelen]]}} word glyph for {{tp|a}} ({{ss|a}}) is a rounded shape with a flat bottom that includes a phonetic {{tp|a}} radical ({{ss|A}}) and an {{tp|uta}} radical ({{ss|uta}}, seen also in {{tp|[[akesi]]}}: {{ss|akesi}} and {{tp|[[toki]]}}: {{ss|toki}}).

The word may optionally also be written as the syllable glyph ({{ss|A}}).

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==

===Resources===
* {{pu|en}}: Lesson 10
* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [https://mun.la/sona/interjections.html Intejections]
* {{tok|jan Lentan}}: [https://lipu-sona.pona.la/7.html Lesson 7]
* {{tok|soweli Tesa}}: [https://lipu-sona.kittycat.homes/en/a Lesson 10]
* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [https://github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-emoticle-a the emoticle {{tok|a}}]
* Jonathan Gabel: [https://jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/commands/ Interjections and Commands]

===Dictionaries===
* {{R:Linku}}
* {{R:Wikipesija}}
* {{R:Wiktionary}}
{{Words}}

[[Category:Synonyms]]

Latest revision as of 23:37, 16 May 2024

This article is about the Toki Pona word. For the English word "a(n)", see Articles.
a in sitelen pona
a in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /a/
Usage 2023: Core (99% → )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era nimi pu ("synonym" in pu)
Part of speech Particle
Codepoint 󱤀 U+F1900

a is a particle used to indicate emphasis and emotion.

Function[edit | edit source]

a is used to add emotion or emphasis to a word, phrase, or sentence. It may also be used alone as an interjection, meaning "ah", "oh", "uhm", among other words.

a　ni li pona tawa mi

a! ni li pona tawa mi.

Oh. This is good for me.

ni li musi a

ni li musi a!

This is so fun!

When a is reduplicated, it is used to express laughter.

a a a

a a a!

Hahaha!

Marking emphasis[edit | edit source]

The word a can be used either at the end of a sentence, adding emphasis (or emotion) to the entire sentence, or after a specific word or phrase to emphasize only that part of the sentence. When used at the end to emphasize the entire sentence, it can be seen as similar to using an exclamation mark in English.

Here are examples of a adding emphasis to different parts of the same sentence:

ona a li pali e tomo

ona a li pali e tomo.

She builds a house.

ona li pali a e tomo

ona li pali a e tomo.

She builds a house.

ona li pali e tomo a

ona li pali e tomo a.

She builds a house.

In the final sentence, the a can also be seen as emphasizing the entire sentence, depending on context. Some people prefer to only use a at the end of a sentence, and don't make the distinctions in the examples above.

Controversy[edit | edit source]

There is no clear community consensus on whether you need to use a li when the subject of a sentence is mi a or sina a. Some feel that a li is necessary because mi a is similar to mi kin or mi taso, which both require a li in standard Toki Pona. Others feel that a li shouldn't be used, because a is not a content word. In practice, both methods are used by different people.

In some cases, people will use a in a pi phrase to emphasize a specific modifier. (E.g. jan pi lili a[1], equivalent to jan lili with only the lili emphasized.) This method is rare and is seen as ungrammatical or nonstandard by some people.

pu[edit | edit source]

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines a as:

PARTICLE  (emphasis, emotion or confirmation)

Notably, the book only shows examples of a as an interjection or at the end of a sentence. The word isn't shown emphasizing a specific part of a sentence.

ku[edit | edit source]

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as a:[2]

ah5, oh5, ha5, ooh4, uh4, gosh4, whoa4, wow4, um3, huh3, uh-huh2, quite2, gasp2, really2, mm-hmm2, hmm2, sigh2

History[edit | edit source]

In pre-pu sources, a was only used as an emotion word and for laughter, not to mark emphasis.[3][4] Instead, kin was used to mark emphasis.[5] The word a was also only added at the end of a sentence, not in the middle.

In the 2014 book Toki Pona: The Language of Good, Sonja Lang attempted to merge a and kin into one word,[6] adding "emphasis" to a's definition. The two words were not fully merged in community usage, but the meaning and usage of a did shift as a result of this. a is now widely used as an emphasis marker, and it can be used in the middle of a sentence, unlike pre-pu usage of a but similar to pre-pu usage of kin.

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

The sitelen pona glyph for a (󱤀) is composed of the punctuation stem and the lowercase Latin letter A.

The letter A at the bottom is typically drawn in its single-story form ɑ, usually resembling the Latin letter's handwritten forms more than in type. However, the letter A can occasionally also be seen written as its double-story form a, or as the lower case Greek letter alpha (α, resembling a mirrored kala glyph). The punctuation stem can be drawn upright (a) or at a diagonal (a).

Compare the glyphs for kin, n, and o.

sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]

The sitelen sitelen word glyph for a (a) is a rounded shape with a flat bottom that includes a phonetic a radical (A) and an uta radical (uta, seen also in akesi: akesi and toki: toki).

The word may optionally also be written as the syllable glyph (A).

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ jan Kasape. (14 May 2023). "kulupu Kanse la jan meli li kama ken" (in Toki Pona). lipu tenpo. Retrieved 14 May 2023. "jan li kama unpa li kama jo insa e jan pi lili a li wile e ona ala la seme li ken".
  2. ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 199.
  3. ↑ jan Pije. "Lesson 9". o kama sona e toki pona!. Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. "a is a word that expresses emotion or laughter.".
  4. ↑ "Classic Word List (Improved!)". tokipona.net. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. "interj ah, ha, uh, oh, ooh, aw, well (emotion word)".
  5. ↑ "Classic Word List (Improved!)". tokipona.net. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. "mod also, too, even, indeed (emphasizes the word(s) before it)".
  6. ↑ Sonja Lang [@sonjalang]. (24 February 2021). [Message posted in the #learn-toki-pona-1 channel in the ma pona pi toki pona Discord server]. Discord. Retrieved 14 May 2024. "for better or worse, i had the idea to merge kin and a in my book, but i don't think it's really taken off in usage. i personally use a and kin differently.".

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Dictionaries[edit | edit source]

Parts of speech Content words (Roles · Prepositions · Preverbs · Names · Numbers) · Particles (Semiparticles) · Interjections
Usage Book presence (nimi pu · nimi ku) · Eras (pre-pu · post-pu · post-ku) · Usage categories · nimi sin · Synonyms · Reserved words · Place and language names
Core words a · akesi · ala · alasa · ale / ali · anpa · ante · anu · awen · e · en · esun · ijo · ike · ilo · insa · jaki · jan · jelo · jo · kala · kalama · kama · kasi · ken · kepeken · kili · kiwen · ko · kon · kule · kulupu · kute · la · lape · laso · lawa · len · lete · li · lili · linja · lipu · loje · lon · luka · lukin · lupa · ma · mama · mani · mi · moku · moli · monsi · mu · mun · musi · mute · nanpa · nasa · nasin · nena · ni · nimi · noka · o · olin · ona · open · pakala · pali · palisa · pan · pana · pi · pilin · pimeja · pini · pipi · poka · poki · pona · pu · sama · seli · selo · seme · sewi · sijelo · sike · sin · sina · sinpin · sitelen · sona · soweli · suli · suno · supa · suwi · tan · taso · tawa · telo · tenpo · toki · tomo · tu · unpa · uta · utala · walo · wan · waso · wawa · weka · wile
Common words kijetesantakalu · kin · kipisi · ku · leko · meli · mije · misikeke · monsuta · n · namako · soko · tonsi
Uncommon words epiku · jasima · kokosila · lanpan · linluwi · majuna · meso · nimisin · oko
Resources Dictionaries · Glossary · Cognates · Glosses · Minimal pairs
Retrieved from "https://sona.pona.la/wiki/a?oldid=17378"