lesson 4: direct objects, compound sentences
| ilo |
jo |
kili |
lukin |
ni |
pakala |
ona |
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unpa |
pipi |
wile |
ma |
ijo |
e |
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direct objects using e
In lesson three, we saw how li works as a container for
the verb. The separator e works in the same way, by forming
a container for the direct object. |
mi
moku e kili. |
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ona
li lukin e pipi. |
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We are now looking at sentences with a subject, verb, and
direct object. This translates into 3 glyph blocks:
1.[S] subject
2.[V] verb (infixed in 'li' if the subject is not mi or sina)
3.[DO] direct object infixed in e.
Remember how we move down and to the right? We also want to
keep each sentence as compact as possible, not strung out
in a long line. Here are two useful arrangements for a three
block sentence: |
| Notice how one of the blocks is larger in size? This keeps
the sentence in a relatively square shape. It also clues us
in to the direction that the sentence is to be read. You must
read either across an entire row, or down an entire column.
When deciding how to lay out your sentences, the important
thing to consider is information density. Make sure you don't
end up cramming a bunch of information into a small space.
That's why we wouldn't choose to have a large S block, followed
by small V and DO blocks. Take a look at a couple more examples: |
sina
jo e ilo. |
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ona
li pona e ijo. |
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Verb phrases using wile
| When using sentences with verb phrases, the entire verb
phrase is infixed in li. Think
of li and everything inside as
one block, and follow the same block structure rules that
we have been learning all along. |
ona
li wile pakala |
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| When the subject is mi or
sina, we aren't bound by li
containing the verb. It's still a good idea, however, to keep
a verb phrase together, for visual clarity. |
sina
wile unpa. |
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Direct objects using e with
wile
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Now adding a direct object to the above sentences is easy.
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ona
li wile pakala e pipi. |
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sina
wile unpa e ona. |
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Compound sentences
| As you're starting to see, this script treats language
as spatial, rather than linear. In this respect, long compound
sentences can prove an organizational challenge, since a string
of verbs or direct objects is naturally linear. A grouping
of a couple verbs or direct objects, however, can still be
managed quite easily. In a sentence with two verbs, the three
block structure from above will still work: |
pipi
li lukin li unpa. |
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mi
moku li pakala. |
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Sentences with two direct objects fill four glyph blocks.
1-S
2-V
3-DO1
4-DO2
To avoid ambiguity, four block structures are always read
down the columns, from left to right.
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mi
moku e kili e telo. |
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mi
wile lukin e ma e suno. |
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If you're still unsure what I mean by column and row, don't
worry. We're going to look more closely at this in the next
lesson.
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