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'''{{tp|ki}}''' is {{a category}} [[post-pu|post-{{tp|pu}}]] [[particle]] that marks a relative [[clause]]. It is highly nonstandard due to its implications for [[Toki Pona]] [[grammar]], making sentences much more complex.
'''{{tp|ki}}''' is {{a category}} [[post-pu|post-{{tp|pu}}]] [[particle]] that marks a relative [[clause]]. It is almost never used due to its implications for [[Toki Pona]] [[grammar]], making sentences much more complex.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
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==Function==
==Function==
{{Needs work|
*Can you drop the subject of the relative clause? If so, then as an alternative, describe how {{tp|A <del>ki</del> B li C}} expresses roughly the same thing as {{tp|A <ins>li</ins> B li C}}, or at least {{tp|A li B la ona li C}}.
*What is its priority relative to other particles?
**In {{tp|A ki B li C li D li E}}, how many of the {{tp|li}} belong to the {{tp|ki}} clause? The <strong>clause</strong> {{tp|B li C}} must be, at least, because just the <strong>phrase</strong> {{tp|ki B}} would be {{tp|pi B}}, but is there any rule for the rest, such as the second or final {{tp|li}} ending the {{tp|ki}} clause? Or is this just guessed, or supposed to be marked only with prosody or punctuation? Or can {{tp|li}} not be used within {{tp|ki}} after all, forcing the subject to be dropped as above?
**Likewise with {{tp|A li B ki C e D e E}}, which {{tp|e}} ends the {{tp|ki}} clause? Or can {{tp|ki}} not be used in this position? Or is it unclear?
|section}}
{{tp|ki}} acts like a {{wp|relative pronoun}}, similar to English "which", "who", or "that".
{{tp|ki}} acts like a {{wp|relative pronoun}}, similar to English "which", "who", or "that".


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Ambiguity may arise with more complex sentences, e.g. "{{tp|jan ki moku kili li tawa li pona}}" could mean either "the man who eats fruit moves and is good" or "the man who eats fruit and moves is good".{{citation needed}} This ambiguity is avoided in {{tp|sitelen pona}}, as the scope is marked with an underline connected to the glyph (see [[#{{tp|sitelen pona}}|#sitelen pona]]).
Many details about how ki works have never been decided on, since it is almost never used in practice. For example, the sentence "{{tp|jan ki moku kili li tawa li pona}}" could mean either "the man who eats fruit moves and is good" or "the man who eats fruit and moves is good". This ambiguity can be avoided in {{tp|sitelen pona}} by marking the scope with an underline extending from the glyph (see [[#sitelen pona|#{{tp|sitelen pona}}]]).


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==

Latest revision as of 18:23, 25 June 2024

Caution: The subject of this article is an experimental or hypothetical style that is not understood by most speakers, or is used only in specific small communities. Learners should avoid using it.
Pronunciation /ki/
Usage 2023: Obscure (2% → )Caution: Most speakers don't understand this word.2022: Obscure (2%)
Book and era No book (post-pu)
Part of speech Particle

ki is an obscure post-pu particle that marks a relative clause. It is almost never used due to its implications for Toki Pona grammar, making sentences much more complex.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word ki is derived from French qui, meaning "who". It was coined by akesi kon Nalasuni and jan Atenaja in 2020.

Function[edit | edit source]

ki acts like a relative pronoun, similar to English "which", "who", or "that".

jan ki moku e kili

jan ki moku e kili

the man who eats fruit

Many details about how ki works have never been decided on, since it is almost never used in practice. For example, the sentence "jan ki moku kili li tawa li pona" could mean either "the man who eats fruit moves and is good" or "the man who eats fruit and moves is good". This ambiguity can be avoided in sitelen pona by marking the scope with an underline extending from the glyph (see #sitelen pona).

Alternatives[edit | edit source]

In standard Toki Pona, ni ("that") can be used to refer to the upcoming sentence, causing it to function similarly to a relative clause.

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

A proposed sitelen pona glyph for ki (ki) is derived from that of pi and functions the same way, but the left side is in the shape of a left-facing angle bracket, resembling a flipped li (li) connected to the low line. It was designed by nimi Elemenopi in January 2021.[1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. nimi Elemenopi [u/ElemenopiTheSequel]. (29 January 2021). "Updated 1b glyphs". r/OffThePu. Reddit. Retrieved 28 December 2023. "[Key: black] = original, made by me".

Further reading[edit | edit source]