luka pona

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luka pona, or LPSL (luka pona sign language), is a constructed sign language. It is a tokiponido created by jan Olipija. It is a real sign language, including classifiers and NMFs, unlike toki pona luka which is a relex of toki pona into signs.

The main community center for luka pona is the #luka-pona channel on the ma pona pi toki pona discord server.

Resources

Created by jan Olipja

Compiled by the community

Phonology and morphology

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luka pona morphology is primarily defined by the combination of shape, placement, orientation, and motion.

Handshapes

wan (1): Index finger extended
tu (V): Index and middle fingers extended
tawa (L): Index finger and thumb extended
kiwen (OpenA): Fist with thumb extended
supa (FlatB): Fingers together
nena (BentB): Fingers together, bent at knuckles
sike (O): Tips of index (and middle) finger and thumb touching (other fingers together)
telo (5): Fingers spread
lili (9): Tips of index finger and thumb touching (other fingers spread)

Grammar

Like in Toki Pona, modifiers go after their heads. The sign for pi can be replaced with a brief pause without signing^[1], and the sign for la can be replaced with a longer pause without signing.^[2]

luka pona has a subject–object–verb word order and does not use li or e. Instead, a simple sentence is subject NI-1 object NI-2 verb. The NI signs point toward different sides, including for multiple subjects and objects.^[3]

A second subject can be clarified with the sign EN/KIN/KAN, following the NI for the first subject. Multiple verbs are separated by a brief pause.^[4]

Toki Pona prepositions and preverbs are postpositions and postverbs in luka pona.^[5]

The sign for o is also postpositive. When used for commands, it can be replaced by signing intensely. When used to address someone, o can be replaced by wiggling the hand intensely before or after the name; or with the sign for lukin, pointing at the speaker, after the name.^[6]

luka pona does not use the intensifier a. Instead, the speaker uses two hands.^[7]

The sign for mute can be replaced by signing a word many times in a row.^[7]

The sign for ala can be replaced by shaking the head and frowning.^[8]

In questions, the sign for seme always ends the sentence. Yes-or-no questions are asked with a confused expression or by tilting the head to the side.^[9] SEME is also used to link sentences instead of ni:.^[10]

Time phrases are expressed with TENPO NI, with NI pointing in different directions. Pointing back represents tenpo pini, pointing at one's feet represents tenpo ni, and pointing forward represents tenpo kama.^[11]

Names are spelled with letter signs.^[12]

Numbers can be expressed with the signs for Toki Pona number words, or by extending the corresponding number of fingers, optionally with the sign for nanpa before. Another way of enumerating things is to touch the nth finger on the other hand.^[13]

Signs such as LUKIN, UTALA, KAMA/TAWA, and PANA/LANPAN point from the direction that the corresponding action comes from. For example, in MI SINA LUKIN, the sign LUKIN points toward the referent of SINA, but in SINA MI LUKIN, it points toward the speaker. In ONA-1 ONA-2 LUKIN, it points toward the side of ONA-2.^[14]