Circumlocution

Circumlocution means speaking indirectly; speaking around a problem. Toki Pona speakers need to use circumlocution to make up for the lack of vocabulary, because there is no word or set phrase for most concepts. There is some research that suggests that learning Toki Pona can help with circumlocution in other second languages.

Strategies

A good method is to describe the concept in simple terms in another language, breaking it down into as many sentences as needed. The result will be easier to translate into Toki Pona. For example:

computer

This tool is like a box.

ilo ni li sama poki.

It contains many small numbers.

ona li jo e nanpa lili mute.

These numbers store information.

nanpa ni li awen e sona.

The tool can give this information using other tools.

ilo ni li ken pana e sona ni kepeken ilo ante.

One other tool is like a window for looking.

ilo ante wan li sama lupa lukin.

The box tool can talk to other tools in distant places.

ilo poki li ken toki tawa ilo ante lon ma weka.