li: Difference between revisions
m (Add footnote to ku.) |
(Merge mi li and sina li into page content.) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
||
The word {{tp|li}} is derived from the {{w|Esperanto}} third-person singular pronoun ''{{lang|eo|li}}''.<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref> |
The word {{tp|li}} is derived from the {{w|Esperanto}} third-person singular pronoun ''{{lang|eo|li}}''.<ref>{{cite etym}}</ref> It functions similarly to 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"/> |
||
==Function== |
==Function== |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
{{Example|kili li moku.|Fruits are food.}} |
{{Example|kili li moku.|Fruits are food.}} |
||
{{Example|mi tawa tomo.|I'm going home.}} |
{{Example|mi tawa tomo.|I'm going home.}} |
||
{{Example|sina pona lukin.|You're pretty!}} |
|||
When the subject is anything other than the words {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} alone, it is |
When the subject is anything other than the words {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} alone, it is followed by {{tp|li}}. This can come about when multiple subjects are used in a single sentence with {{tp|[[en]]}}, or when {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} either modify or are modified by another word in the subject. |
||
{{Example|sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.|You and I watch a movie.}} |
{{Example|sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.|You and I watch a movie.}} |
||
{{Example|moku mi li lon supa.|My food is on the table.}} |
{{Example|moku mi li lon supa.|My food is on the table.}} |
||
{{Example|mi tu li kama.|The two of us arrive.}} |
|||
===Multiple predicates=== |
===Multiple predicates=== |
||
| Line 24: | Line 26: | ||
{{Example|ona li kama li tawa.|They come and go.}} |
{{Example|ona li kama li tawa.|They come and go.}} |
||
{{Example|soweli li kute e kalama li lukin e kasi.|Animals listen to noises and look at plants.}} |
|||
The book {{lipu pu|en}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} |
The book {{lipu pu|en}} says that when multiple predicates are applied to {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} they should each be their own sentence, instead of repeating {{tp|[[li]]}}.<ref>{{cite pu|56}}</ref> |
||
{{Example|mi toki. mi moku.|I speak |
{{Example|mi toki. mi moku.|I speak. I eat.}} |
||
Some speakers use a second {{tp|li}} in this case. This is referred to as "extended {{tp|li}} style" in the {{ku|en}}.<ref>{{cite ku|10}}</ref> |
Some speakers use a second {{tp|li}} in this case. This is referred to as "extended {{tp|li}} style" in the {{ku|en}}.<ref>{{cite ku|10}}</ref> |
||
{{Example|mi |
{{Example|mi toki li moku.|I speak and eat.}} |
||
A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether {{tp|toki}} is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of {{tp|mi}}. |
A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether {{tp|toki}} is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of {{tp|mi}}. |
||
{{Example|mi |
{{Example|mi toki li moku.|The language-related me is eating.}} |
||
===Edge cases=== |
===Edge cases=== |
||
| Line 42: | Line 45: | ||
{{Example|mi a wawa.}} |
{{Example|mi a wawa.}} |
||
{{Example|mi a li wawa.}} |
{{Example|mi a li wawa.}} |
||
==Dropping after {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}== |
|||
{{Needs work|move [[mi li and sina li#Why no li?|{{tp|mi li}} and {{tp|sina li}} § Why no {{tp|li}}?]] to this section|section}} |
|||
Learners sometimes wonder why {{tp|li}} gets added for everything else, but not for {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}. Because the underlying confusion, or curiosity, can have different causes, there are many possible answers. |
|||
Etymologically speaking, {{tp|li}} is a third-person marker, derived from Esperanto, and it functions similarly to 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"/> |
|||
It is commonly analysed that there is a "hidden" {{tp|li}} after {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}. |
|||
==Misconceptions== |
==Misconceptions== |
||
Revision as of 16:37, 9 November 2023
  | |
| Pronunciation | /li/ |
|---|---|
| Usage | 2023: Core (100% → )2022: Core (100%) |
| Book and era | nimi pu |
| Part of speech | Particle |
| Codepoint | U+F1927 |
li is a particle used to introduce the predicate, that is, it separates the subject from the rest of the sentence.
Etymology
The word li is derived from the Esperanto third-person singular pronoun li.[1] It functions similarly to the Tok Pisin particle i, which introduces the verb except when the subject is the first- or second-person singular pronouns.[2][3][4]
Function
The particle li separates the subject from the predicate. The predicate can be intepreted as a verb, noun, adjective, or prepositional phrase. The particle is omitted when the subject consists only of the word mi or sina.
ona li mokuona li moku.
They eat.
soweli li suwisoweli li suwi.
The dog is cute.
kili li mokukili li moku.
Fruits are food.
mi tawa tomomi tawa tomo.
I'm going home.
sina pona lukinsina pona lukin.
You're pretty!
When the subject is anything other than the words mi or sina alone, it is followed by li. This can come about when multiple subjects are used in a single sentence with en, or when mi or sina either modify or are modified by another word in the subject.
sina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawasina en mi li lukin e sitelen tawa.
You and I watch a movie.
moku mi li lon supamoku mi li lon supa.
My food is on the table.
mi tu li kamami tu li kama.
The two of us arrive.
Multiple predicates
In order to introduce multiple predicates, the particle li is repeated.
ona li kama li tawaona li kama li tawa.
They come and go.
soweli li kute e kalama li lukin e kasisoweli li kute e kalama li lukin e kasi.
Animals listen to noises and look at plants.
The book Toki Pona: The Language of Good says that when multiple predicates are applied to mi or sina they should each be their own sentence, instead of repeating li.[5]
mi toki mi mokumi toki. mi moku.
I speak. I eat.
Some speakers use a second li in this case. This is referred to as "extended li style" in the Toki Pona Dictionary.[6]
mi toki li mokumi toki li moku.
I speak and eat.
A downside of this method is exemplified in this sentence: it is ambiguous whether toki is meant to be a predicate or a modifier of mi.
mi toki li mokumi toki li moku.
The language-related me is eating.
Edge cases
There are some edge cases where the style of the speaker may lead to differences in how li is used. The particle a in the sentence below is acting and modifying mi, but this may considered a special case and may not be counted. However, because it is still acting similar or even the same as a modifier, speakers might also use li similarly to with any modifier. A similar effect might happen with kin.
mi a wawami a wawa.
mi a li wawami a li wawa.
Misconceptions
li is not "is"
In his series 12 Days of sona pi toki pona, jan Misali introduces the word li as meaning "is".[7] This has since been corrected in his newer series toki pona lessons.
References
- ↑ "Word Origins". tokipona.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2002.
- ↑ Franklin, Karl J. (1980). The particles ‘i’ and ‘na’ in Tok Pisin. Kivung. 12 (2): 134-144.
- ↑ Tung, Cindy (2014). Grammaticalization in Tok Pisin. Lingua Frankly. 2 (1). doi:10.6017/lf.v2i1.5419
- ↑ Verhaar, J. W. M. (1991). The Function of I in Tok Pisin. Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages. 6 (2): 231–266. doi:10.1075/jpcl.6.2.04ver.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (25 May 2014). Toki Pona: The Language of Good. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292300. OCLC 921253340. p. 56.
- ↑ Lang, Sonja. (18 July 2021). Toki Pona Dictionary. Illustrated by Vacon Sartirani. Tawhid. ISBN 978-0978292362. p. 10.
- ↑ jan Misali. (14 December 2015). "12 Days of sona pi toki pona Day Two: Sentence Structure". jan Misali [@HMaster]. YouTube.
External links
Resources
- Toki Pona: The Language of Good: Lessons 2–5
- jan Kekan San: Actions with li
- jan Lentan: Lessons 1–4
- jan Misali (2022): what is toki pona? (toki pona lesson one)
- soweli Tesa: Lesson 2
- nasin toki pona: the particle li
- Jonathan Gabel: Basic Sentences
Obsolete resources
- jan Sonja (2002): Lesson 1
- jan Pije (2014): Lesson 3
- jan Misali (2015): Day Two: Sentence Structure
- jan Pije (2020): Lesson 3