li: Difference between revisions

'''{{tp|li}}''' is a [[particle]] used to introduce a [[predicate]] to a sentence. It introduces all predicates if the [[subject]] is not {{tp|[[mi]]}} or {{tp|[[sina]]}}.

The word {{tp|li}} is derived from the {{w|Esperanto}} third-person singular pronoun ''{{lang|eo|li}}''<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref>, itself from Latin ''{{lang|la|ille}}'' of the same meaning. Its functionality is derived from the {{w|Tok Pisin}} particle ''{{lang|tpi|i}}'', which introduces the verb except when the subject is the first- or second-person singular pronouns.<ref name="franklin1980"/><ref name="tung2014"/><ref name="verhaar1991"/>

In order to introduce multiple predicates, the particle {{tp|li}} is repeated for subjects apart from {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}.

Some speakers prefer to repeat a second {{tp|li}} in this case.<ref name="kita2022" /> This is referred to as "extended {{tp|li}} style" in the {{ku|en}}.<ref>{{cite ku|10}}</ref> It was first cited on the popular lessons by {{tok|[[jan Pije]]}} around 2004 and its updated version on 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tokipona.nytka.org/lesson/lesson4.html|title=Toki Pona Lesson 4|website={{tok|lipu pi jan Pije}}|author={{tok|jan Pije}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041217042434/http://tokipona.nytka.org/lesson/lesson4.html|archive-date=2004-12-07|url-status=dead|access-date=2024-03-06|quote={{tp|mi moku li pakala}}. This says, "I eat and destroy." While li is still omitted before moku because the subject of the sentence is mi (Look back over lesson three if you've forgotten this rule), we still use it before the second verb, pakala. Without the li there, the sentence would be chaotic and confusing. Compound sentences with sina follow this same pattern.}}</ref>

This style can possibly lead to ambiguity, as in the sentence above. {{tp|toki}} could be meant to be an independent predicate, or a modifier of {{tp|mi}}. For example, the sentence above may be interpreted as "the language-related me is eating".

</ref>

<ref name="kita2022" >{{cite Discord|url=https://discord.com/channels/301377942062366741/828474497865744444/1022177735386337371|name={{tok|jan Kita}}|username=.hecko|message-type=Informal poll|channel={{tok|sona-kulupu}}|server={{tp|ma pona pi toki pona}}|quote=which one of these do you do usually|access-date=2024-03-06}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Which construction do you prefer?

|-

! Option

! Votes

|-

! {{tp|mi tawa. mi kalama}}<br/><small>({{tp|pu}} style)</small>

| 52

|-

! {{tp|mi tawa li kalama}}<br/><small>(Extended {{tp|li}} style)</small>

| 59

|-

! {{tp|mi li tawa li kalama}}<br/><small>("Loglanger" style)</small>

| 0

|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Which construction do you prefer?

|-

! Option

! Votes

|-

! {{tp|mi lukin e ona. mi kalama}}<br/><small>({{tp|pu}} style)</small>

| 60

|-

! {{tp|mi lukin e ona li kalama}}<br/><small>(Extended {{tp|li}} style)</small>

| 43

|-

! {{tp|mi li lukin e ona li kalama}}<br/><small>("Loglanger" style)</small>

| 0

|}

* {{tok|jan Kekan San}}: [https://mun.la/sona/li.html Actions with {{tok|li}}]

* {{tp|nasin toki pona}}: [https://github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-li the particle {{tok|li}}]

* Jonathan Gabel: [https://jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/basic-sentences/ Basic Sentences]