mi li and sina li: Difference between revisions

{{tp title|mi li|sina li}}

{{Needs work|Propose to merge with {{tp|[[Special:MyLanguage/li|li]]}}}}

 

The phrases '''{{tp|mi li}} and {{tp|sina li}}''' are generally considered to be ungrammatical. If a sentence starts with {{tp|mi}} or with {{tp|sina}} as the only word in the [[Special:MyLanguage/subject|subject]], the [[Special:MyLanguage/predicate|predicate]] immediately follows after.

 

 

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.

 

* Because this is how the language works, and how it has worked from the very beginning. After decades, only a minority of speakers use {{tp|li}} differently, if any.

* The particle {{tp|li}} introduces a verb to a subject more complicated than only {{tp|mi}} or only {{tp|sina}}. It's commonly said that {{tp|li}} is "omitted" after {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}, or that there is a "hidden" {{tp|li}}. This could mean that Toki Pona likes to concentrate on {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}} being more <em>immediate</em> subjects. They hold such importance in the language that anything else is more complex or more external to an immediate experience so that it needs an extra separation by a particle.

* In terms of practical benefits, omitting {{tp|li}} after {{tp|mi}} makes it less likely to be confused with {{tp|ni}}. It also makes sentences shorter and slightly more varied in terms of word distribution.

 

 

The relationship {{tp|li}} has to {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}} is often overly shortened to "no {{tp|li}} after {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}}". However, taking this abbreviated explanation at face-value can lead to confusion for learners, in some cases where the word {{tp|li}} follows {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}}.

 

{{tp|li}} is not added if {{tp|mi}} is the <em>only word</em> in the subject or if {{tp|sina}} is the ''only word'' in the subject. With {{tp|en}}, there are now two subjects, so {{tp|li}} is added.

 

{{example|mi en sina li pali.}}

 

{{tp|li}} follows {{tp|mi}} and {{tp|sina}} when used as modifiers. In the sentence below, {{tp|sina}} is not the subject, it is only part of the subject.

 

{{Example|soweli sina li pona.}}

 

{{tp|li}} is still used if {{tp|mi}} or {{tp|sina}} are modified.

 

{{Example|mi tu li kama.}}

 

 

 

{{Example|sina pali. sina wawa.}}

 

 

{{Example|sina pali li wawa.}}

 

 

In some cases, speakers' styles may lead to differences in how {{tp|li}} is used. The word {{tp|[[Special:MyLanguage/a|a]]}} in sentence below is seen as applying to {{tp|mi}}, but it is a special case that leads to {{tp|li}} not factoring in because of the nature of the word {{tp|a}}.<!--vague--> However, because it is still acting similar or even the same as a modifier, speakers might also use {{tp|li}} just like with any modifier. A similar effect might happen with {{tp|kin}}.

 

{{Example|mi a wawa.}}

{{Example|mi a li wawa.}}

 

 

<references group="lower-alpha"/>

 

 

<references>

<ref name="franklin1980">