len

From sona pona, the Toki Pona wiki
len in sitelen pona
len in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /len/ 🔊 🔊
Usage 2023: Core (99% → )2022: Core (99%)
Book and era nimi pu
Part of speech Content word
Codepoint 󱤥 U+F1925

len is a core content word relating to clothing, fabrics, and cover.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word len is derived from Acadian French linge, meaning "clothing".[1]

Semantic space[edit | edit source]

Usage of len to mean "to cover" in an earthquake preparedness poster[2]

The semantic space of len includes clothing and fabrics. By extension, it refers to covering, layers to privacy, and hiding. Other pieces of body adornment, such as jewelry, are not considered part of the semantic space of len by all speakers.[3]

pu[edit | edit source]

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

NOUN  cloth, clothing, fabric, textile; cover, layer of privacy

ku[edit | edit source]

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as len:[4]

clothing5, cloth5, clothes5, fabric5, outfit4, privacy4, cover4, dress3, jacket3, wear3, shirt3, t-shirt2, hide2, blanket2, cotton2, private2, wrap2, costume2, silk2, suit (n)2, hidden2, underwear2, canvas2, coverage2, flag2

sitelen pona[edit | edit source]

The sitelen pona glyph for len (󱤥) represents a piece of fabric with a frayed or tasseled edge.

sitelen sitelen[edit | edit source]

The sitelen sitelen word glyph for len (len) may depict one or two pieces of fabric with a running stitch.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Word Origins. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Toki Pona.
  2. kili Melon (2 July 2021). "ma li tawa la jan o seme". In lipu tenpo nanpa suno (in Toki Pona). lipu tenpo.
  3. soweli walo pi puwa sewi [@fennaixelphox]. (28 April 2023). [Informal poll posted in the #sona-kulupu channel in the ma pona pi toki pona Discord server]. Discord. "Is jewelry a len". Data retrieved 26 October 2023.
    Is jewelry considered part of the semantic space of len?
    Option Votes
    Yes 19
    No 33
    Maybe 24
  4. Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 263.

Further reading[edit | edit source]