lesson 4: direct objects, compound sentences | ilo | jo | kili | lukin | ni | pakala | ona |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | unpa | pipi | wile | ma | ijo | e | |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
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. |  | | ona li lukin e pipi. |  | |
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. |  | | ona li pona e ijo. |  | | 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 |  | |
| 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. |  | | Direct objects using e with wile |
Now adding a direct object to the above sentences is easy.
|
ona li wile pakala e pipi. |  | | sina wile unpa e ona. |  | | 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. |  | | mi moku li pakala. |  | |
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.
|
mi moku e kili e telo. |  | | mi wile lukin e ma e suno. |  | |
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.
| |
