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'''{{tp|monsuta}}''' is a [[Toki Pona]] [[content word]] related to monsters, scariness and fear.
'''{{tp|monsuta}}''' is a [[content word]] related to monsters, scariness, and fear. It was coined by {{tok|[[jan Sonja]]}} in 2009.


==Etymology==
It was proposed by {{tok|[[jan Sonja]]}} in 2009, but she abandoned the word shortly after. The word always saw some use among a minority of speakers. However, for a long time the word {{tp|monsuta}} was not used a lot, and the way to use it wasn't defined very well. This changed in the late 2010s and early 2020s, when the word became popular and certain trends emerged among its users. However, some use cases of {{tp|monsuta}} remain undefined, ambiguous, or controversial.
The word {{tp|monsuta}} is derived from {{w|Japanese}} {{lang|ja|{{wikt|モンスター}}}} ({{lang|ja|monsutā}}), itself from English ''monster''. It was coined by {{tok|[[jan Sonja]]}} in 2009, but it was abandoned shortly after.


The word always saw some use among a minority of speakers. However, for a long time the word {{tp|monsuta}} was underused and not well defined. This changed in the late 2010s and early 2020s, when the word became popular and certain trends emerged among its users.
== Common ways to use {{tp|monsuta}} ==

=={{tp|sitelen pona}}==
The {{tp|[[sitelen pona]]}} glyph represents a mouth with sharp teeth. It was designed by {{tok|jan Same}}, a contributor to {{tp|[[linja pona]]}}, in 2016<ref>jan Same (11 October 2016). [http://forums.tokipona.org/viewtopic.php?t=2616 Sitelen pona glyphs for new and apocryphal words]. ''Toki Pona Forums''.</ref> It originally featured a circle surrounding it, but was later changed after feedback from user {{tok|jan Tepan Neta Pelin}}, due to it being confused as a compound with {{tp|ijo}}.

==Semantic space==
In 2010, the official Toki Pona wiki originally defined {{tp|monsuta}} as:<ref>[//archive.is/NQQ4a {{tp|monsuta}}]. Archived from the original in 5 July 2013. ''Toki Pona''.</ref>


=== Definitions ===
In 2010 the official Toki Pona wiki<ref>[//archive.is/NQQ4a {{tp|monsuta}} in the Toki Pona wiki], 2010</ref> defined {{tp|monsuta}} as:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
# creature that preys on humans; predator
# creature that preys on humans; predator
Line 17: Line 22:
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


Nowadays, the word {{tp|monsuta}} is often used as a noun or [[head]] to mean "monster," but its meaning is also generalized to "something scary, something that causes fear, something dangerous." It usually leans most towards the third of the 2010 definitions.
In modern usage, the word is often defined as a noun meaning "monster", but also generalized as "something scary, something that causes fear, something dangerous". The word is also commonly used as a [[modifier]] to mean "scary, frightening, creepy, spooky" or "monstrous, monster-like".


{{Example|monsuta li lon anpa supa.|There's a monster under the bed.}}
The word is also very commonly used as an adjective or [[modifier]] to mean "scary, frightening, creepy, spooky" or "monstrous, monster-like."
{{Example|sina kute ala kute e kalama monsuta?|Do you hear a scary noise?}}


The word "fear" is included inside {{tp|monsuta}}'s semantic space. However, it is more commonly expressed as {{tp|pilin monsuta}} ("scary feeling").
=== Fear ===
In Toki Pona dictionaries, the noun "fear" is often included in {{tp|monsuta}}'s definition. However, nowadays the word is rarely used as a noun by itself to mean "fear." Instead, the term {{tp|pilin monsuta}} (scary feeling) is commonly used to describe the noun "fear."


==Transitive use of {{tp|monsuta}}==
=== Examples ===
{{Main|monsutatesu}}
{{Example|monsuta li lon anpa supa.<br />monsuta li lon anpa pi supa lape.|There's a monster under the bed.}}

{{Example|ona li jan ala li monsuta.|It isn't a person but a monster.}}
The transitive use of {{tp|monsuta}} remains unclear. Depending on the speaker, it can mean "to turn into a monster; to scare" or "to fear". Several pepole support multiple of these interpretations, where the specific meaning depends on context. The fact that transitive {{tp|monsuta}} can be analyzed to have two opposite meanings has inspired the {{tp|[[monsutatesu]]}} analysis of Toki Pona.
{{Example|sina kute ala kute e kalama monsuta?|Do you hear a scary noise?}}

{{Example|mi pilin monsuta.|I am scared.}}
Note that the meanings of "to scare" and "to fear" can also be expressed without using transitive {{tp|monsuta}}. The sentence "I fear bugs" or "bugs scare me" can be translated in various ways:


"I fear bugs" or "bugs scare me" can be translated in various ways:
{{Example|pipi li monsuta tawa mi.|Bugs are scary to me.}}
{{Example|pipi li monsuta tawa mi.|Bugs are scary to me.}}
{{Example|mi pilin monsuta tawa pipi / tan pipi.|I am scared towards bugs / because of bugs.}}
{{Example|mi pilin monsuta tawa pipi.|I am scared towards bugs.}}
{{Example|mi pilin monsuta tan pipi.|I am scared because of bugs.}}
{{Example|mi pilin monsuta tan pipi.|I am scared because of bugs.}}
{{Example|pipi li pana e pilin monsuta tawa mi.|Bugs give me fear.}}
{{Example|pipi li pana e pilin monsuta tawa mi.|Bugs give me fear.}}
{{Example|pipi li kama e pilin monsuta lon mi.|Bugs make fear emerge in me.}}
{{Example|pipi li kama e pilin monsuta lon mi.|Bugs make fear emerge in me.}}


(Some people would alternatively express "bugs scare me" as "{{tp|pipi li pilin monsuta e mi.}}" Other people find this confusing, and would recommend using this sentence primarily for meanings like "bugs touch me in a scary way." Both interpretations exist, and in many cases context can help clarify which meaning is meant.)
Some people would alternatively express "bugs scare me" as "{{tp|pipi li pilin monsuta e mi}}". Other people find this confusing, and would recommend using this sentence primarily for meanings like "bugs touch me in a scary way". Both interpretations exist, and in many cases context can help clarify which meaning is meant.

"Nothing scares them":
{{Example|ijo ala li monsuta tawa ona.|Nothing is scary to them.}}
{{Example|ona li ken ala pilin monsuta.|They can't fear.}}

== Transitive use of {{tp|monsuta}} ==
Transitive use of {{tp|monsuta}} remains nebulously defined. Depending on who you ask, {{tp|mi monsuta e sina}} can mean "I scare you," "I fear you," "I turn you into a monster"/"I make you scary," etc. Many people support multiple of these interpretations, where the specific meaning depends on context.

Note that the meanings of "to scare" and "to fear" can also be expressed without using transitive {{tp|monsuta}}. (See the example sentences above.)

The fact that transitive {{tp|monsuta}} can be analyzed to have two opposite meanings has inspired the {{tp|[[monsutatesu]]}} analysis of Toki Pona.


== References ==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
{{Words}}
{{Words}}

Revision as of 12:13, 5 October 2023

monsuta in sitelen pona
monsuta in sitelen sitelen
Pronunciation /ˈmon.su.ta/
Usage 2023: Common4, Widespread6 (83% ↘︎ )2022: Widespread (85%)
Book and era nimi ku suli (pre-pu)
Part of speech Content word
Codepoint 󱥽 U+F197D

monsuta is a content word related to monsters, scariness, and fear. It was coined by jan Sonja in 2009.

Etymology

The word monsuta is derived from Japanese モンスター (monsutā), itself from English monster. It was coined by jan Sonja in 2009, but it was abandoned shortly after.

The word always saw some use among a minority of speakers. However, for a long time the word monsuta was underused and not well defined. This changed in the late 2010s and early 2020s, when the word became popular and certain trends emerged among its users.

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph represents a mouth with sharp teeth. It was designed by jan Same, a contributor to linja pona, in 2016[1] It originally featured a circle surrounding it, but was later changed after feedback from user jan Tepan Neta Pelin, due to it being confused as a compound with ijo.

Semantic space

In 2010, the official Toki Pona wiki originally defined monsuta as:[2]

  1. creature that preys on humans; predator
  2. a real or imagined threat; danger
  3. a source of fear or dread

In modern usage, the word is often defined as a noun meaning "monster", but also generalized as "something scary, something that causes fear, something dangerous". The word is also commonly used as a modifier to mean "scary, frightening, creepy, spooky" or "monstrous, monster-like".

monsuta li lon anpa supa 

monsuta li lon anpa supa.

There's a monster under the bed.

sina kute ala kute e kalama monsuta?

sina kute ala kute e kalama monsuta?

Do you hear a scary noise?

The word "fear" is included inside monsuta's semantic space. However, it is more commonly expressed as pilin monsuta ("scary feeling").

Transitive use of monsuta

The transitive use of monsuta remains unclear. Depending on the speaker, it can mean "to turn into a monster; to scare" or "to fear". Several pepole support multiple of these interpretations, where the specific meaning depends on context. The fact that transitive monsuta can be analyzed to have two opposite meanings has inspired the monsutatesu analysis of Toki Pona.

Note that the meanings of "to scare" and "to fear" can also be expressed without using transitive monsuta. The sentence "I fear bugs" or "bugs scare me" can be translated in various ways:

pipi li monsuta tawa mi 

pipi li monsuta tawa mi.

Bugs are scary to me.

mi pilin monsuta tawa pipi 

mi pilin monsuta tawa pipi.

I am scared towards bugs.

mi pilin monsuta tan pipi 

mi pilin monsuta tan pipi.

I am scared because of bugs.

pipi li pana e pilin monsuta tawa mi 

pipi li pana e pilin monsuta tawa mi.

Bugs give me fear.

pipi li kama e pilin monsuta lon mi 

pipi li kama e pilin monsuta lon mi.

Bugs make fear emerge in me.

Some people would alternatively express "bugs scare me" as "pipi li pilin monsuta e mi". Other people find this confusing, and would recommend using this sentence primarily for meanings like "bugs touch me in a scary way". Both interpretations exist, and in many cases context can help clarify which meaning is meant.

References

  1. jan Same (11 October 2016). Sitelen pona glyphs for new and apocryphal words. Toki Pona Forums.
  2. monsuta. Archived from the original in 5 July 2013. Toki Pona.