ki
ki is an obscure post-pu particle that marks a relative clause. It is highly nonstandard due to its implications for Toki Pona grammar, making sentences much more complex.
Pronunciation | /ki/ |
---|---|
Usage | 2023: Obscure (2% → ) Most speakers don't understand this word.2022: Obscure (2%) |
Book and era | No book (post-pu) |
Part of speech | Particle |
Etymology
The word ki is derived from French qui, meaning "who". It was coined by akesi kon Nalasuni and jan Atenaja in 2020.
Function
Ki was used like "who" and "that" as in "the man who" or "the guy that". For example, in the sentene "jan ki moku e kili", "ki" is used to mean "who" in "the man who eats fruit". Ambiguity arises once one begins nesting; "jan ki moku kili li tawa e moli" could mean either "the man who eats fruits is dying" or "the man who eats the moving fruit is dead".
This is why ki became unused; it ambiguated the grammar and allowed nesting sentences.
Alternatives
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
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
- ↑ 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
- "ki" on lipu Linku