kisiwi

Not to be confused with the unrelated particle ki or exclusive pronoun wi (both also nonstandard).

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.

kisiwi is an experimental alternative pronoun system for Toki Pona. It uses three nimi sin, ki, si, and wi, instead of the standard mi, sina, ona, and ni. The system was created by jan Seli and first published on the ma pona pi toki pona Discord server.

ki refers to the speaker, and things near the speaker. si refers to the listener, and things near the listener. wi refers to everything else. If the words ki, si, and wi are hard to distinguish, then the alternatives koni, soni, and ani are possible.

Like mi and sina, if ki, si, or wi is the whole subject of a sentence, then li is omitted.

Inspiration and etymology

The system is based on the the Japanese こそあど (ko-so-a-do) system of demonstratives, specifically the pronouns 此れ (kore), 其れ (sore), and 彼 (are). The words were also chosen because all other words of the form Ci were already existent or disallowed, explaining the derivation of wi.

References

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