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{{nimi |
{{tp title}}{{nimi |
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|PoS=particle |
|PoS=particle |
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''' |
'''{{tp|pi}}''' is a [[particle]] used for grouping [[modifier]]s together. The resulting phrase that follows it is called a '''{{tp|pi}} phrase''', by analogy to [[preposition]]al phrases. |
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== How it works == |
== How it works == |
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By default, each modifier applies to the whole phrase before it<ref>Some analyze |
By default, each modifier applies to the whole phrase before it<ref group="lower-alpha">Some speakers analyze all modifiers as applying to the first word instead, but the distinction often doesn't matter.</ref>: |
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{{Example|jan pona|good person}} |
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{{Example|jan pona mute|many good people}} |
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:;''jan pona'' |
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{{Example|jan <mark>pi pona mute</mark>|<mark>very good</mark> person}} |
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::good person |
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:;''jan pona mute'' |
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::many good people |
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:;''jan <u>pi pona mute</u>'' |
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::<u>very good</u> person |
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The effect can be similar to hyphenating an [[adjective]] phrase in English: |
The effect can be similar to hyphenating an [[adjective]] phrase in English: |
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:;''tomo telo nasa'' |
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:;''tomo <u>pi telo nasa</u>'' |
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:;''jan pi pana sona'' |
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:;''jan ike pi pana sona'' |
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===Notes=== |
===Notes=== |
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<references /> |
<references group="lower-alpha" /> |
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== Multiple |
== Multiple {{tp|pi}} == |
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While not defined in |
While not defined in {{tp|[[pu]]}}, some speakers do use multiple {{tp|pi}} in a single phrase. However, this carries a risk of ambiguity as to whether the second {{tp|pi}} is contained within the first or not: |
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:;''lipu pi sona mute pi toki Inli'' |
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The possible structures are: |
The possible structures are: |
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;Flat |
;Flat {{tp|pi}} |
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: |
:{{tp|1=<span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">lipu <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi sona <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">mute</span></span> <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi toki <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">Inli</span></span></span>}} |
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;Nested |
;Nested {{tp|pi}} |
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: |
:{{tp|1=<span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">lipu <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi sona <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">mute</span> <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;border:1px solid currentColor;display:inline-block;margin:0.5em;padding:0.5em;">pi toki <span style="background:#7f7f7f1f;display:inline-block;">Inli</span></span></span></span>}} |
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jan Lope argues that, like |
{{tok|jan Lope}} argues that, like {{tp|[[li]]}} and {{tp|[[e]]}}, both {{tp|pi}} phrases apply equally to the first noun in the phrase, rather than nesting.<ref>[//htmlpreview.github.io/?https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jan-Lope/Toki_Pona_lessons_English/gh-pages/toki-pona-lessons_en/index.html#3127] {{tok|jan Lope}}, "Are multiple {{tp|pi}} phrases possible?</ref> As an example, he gives: |
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<blockquote> |
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::The English rock band is good. |
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</blockquote> |
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The ambiguity is whether it's an English band that plays some sort of music, or a band from somewhere that plays English music. There is no consensus on this matter, and in practice both interpretations are possible. In fact, many speakers <em>want</em> it to be ambiguous so that clearer phrasing is used instead. |
The ambiguity is whether it's an English band that plays some sort of music, or a band from somewhere that plays English music. There is no consensus on this matter, and in practice both interpretations are possible. In fact, many speakers <em>want</em> it to be ambiguous so that clearer phrasing is used instead. |
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Using a single word between the |
Using a single word between the {{tp|pi}} does prevent the ambiguity, as the flat structure would contain an invalid single-word {{tp|pi}} phrase. However, if you feel the need to stack this many modifiers, you might be better off rephrasing the phrase into a sentence: |
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::big-eared animal rock |
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::This rock is like a big-eared animal. |
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:;''soweli pi kute suli li lawa e kiwen ni.'' |
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:;''toki <del>pi</del> pona'' |
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It may be more helpful to think of every modifier as having an implied "of" before it: |
It may be more helpful to think of every modifier as having an implied "of" before it: |
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:;''kala utala suli'' |
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=== Possession === |
=== Possession === |
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A related misconception is that |
A related misconception is that {{tp|pi}} marks possession. In reality, adjectives can be interpreted as possessive with or without {{tp|pi}}. It is just about whether the possessor is referred to with more than one word. |
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{{Example|tomo ona|their house}} |
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:;''tomo ona'' |
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::their house |
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:;''tomo pi ona ale'' |
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:;''tomo pi ona wan'' |
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== Controversy == |
== Controversy == |
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{{tp|pi}} is controversial. To many speakers, it feels too engineered for Toki Pona's natural design, it creates more complexity and misconceptions than it is worth, and it encourages learners to [[Lexicalization|find "the phrase" for any given word]]. Avoiding {{tp|pi}} is a common {{tp|nasin}} called [[pin't]]. |
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== External resources == |
== External resources == |
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* [[pu]] Lesson 11 |
* {{tp|[[pu]]}} Lesson 11 |
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* [//lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html jan Lentan Lesson 9] |
* [//lipu-sona.pona.la/9.html {{tok|jan Lentan}} Lesson 9] |
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* [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/6 soweli Tesa Lesson 6] |
* [//sowelitesa.kittycat.homes/lipu-sona/6 {{tok|soweli Tesa}} Lesson 6] |
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* [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ sitelen sitelen Descriptions and Possesives] |
* [//jonathangabel.com/toki-pona/pi/ {{tok|sitelen sitelen}} Descriptions and Possesives] |
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* [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi nasin toki pona] |
* [//github.com/kilipan/nasin-toki#the-particle-pi {{tok|nasin toki pona}}] |
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* [//mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html jan Kekan San Modifiers and pi] |
* [//mun.la/sona/mod-pi.html {{tok|jan Kekan San}} Modifiers and {{tok|pi}}] |
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== References == |
== References == |