FAQ: Difference between revisions
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This page answers some '''frequently asked questions''' about Toaq. | |||
=== | == Getting started == | ||
=== Where do I start learning? === | |||
Try [[Toaq with Ease]] or the [[Grammar overview]]. The most complete resource is the [[refgram]]. | |||
=== "Complementizer"? "Covert"? I don't understand the refgram at all! === | |||
Don't worry, that's okay! It was written for an audience of linguists, not language learners. Focus on the example sentences if you feel lost in the jargon. If you don't understand a concept, try searching this wiki. You can also ask questions on [[Discord]]. | |||
=== How do you | === How do I type the tone marks/symbols/diacritics? === | ||
See [[Input methods]]. | |||
=== What's the word for... === | |||
You can look it up on [[Toadua]], the community dictionary. | |||
== Speaking and writing == | |||
=== How many tones are there? What does each tone do? === | |||
There are four tones, but each one has various uses depending on the part of speech they are used with. Simplifying things a lot, {{Done|1}} is for particles and verbs, {{Done|2}} is for particles and (pro)nouns, {{Done|3}} marks subordination, and {{Done|4}} is for adverbs. See [[Tone]] for a thorough overview. <!--{{Tone table}}--> | |||
=== How do you pronounce…? === | |||
Please refer to https://toaq.net/refgram/phonology/. | |||
=== What's up with the letter {{t|q}} in this language? Pronunciation of {{t|q}} === | |||
{{t|q}} is somewhat special and its pronunciation may not be immediately obvious. It is pronounced like English ⟨ng⟩ (IPA [ŋ]). The use of the letter Q is a nod to [https://loglangs.wiki/Ceqli Rex May’s Ceqli], an international auxiliary language with loglang elements; it’s also found in natural languages such as Fijian (where it represents [ᵑɡ], to be exact). | |||
=== What's with the ı / i without dot / dotless i? === | |||
Writing ı without the dot distinguishes it more from an i that carries a tone mark, it also makes more room for an adjacent tone mark. Overall, it just makes things easier to read. See [[Latin writing system]]. | |||
== Grammar == | |||
=== Can I fill fewer slots than a verb has? === | |||
Probably! See [[Underfilling]]. | |||
=== How do I skip slots? (What's the equivalent of Lojban's <code>FA</code>?) === | |||
While not an exact equivalent of Lojban’s <code>FA</code>, if you need to access the last slot of a verb, you can use [[Object incorporation]]. Alternatively, just fill the slots with [[pronoun]]s. | |||
=== How does {{t|bọ}} work? What is the meaning / place structure of {{t|bọdo}}? === | |||
Semi-officially, it moves the direct object to the front, and removes the old subject. See [[bo-]]. | |||
=== How do numbers work? === | |||
The official number system is that numbers are just verbs: {{t|saq}} means "___ are three in number", so {{t|Saq jío}} means "the buildings are three" and {{t|sá jıo saq}} means "some buildings that are three" (three buildings). | |||
A more elaborate unofficial number system is described at [[User:Loekıa/Numbers]]. | |||
=== How do I refer back to {{t|sá}} without a following verb? Does it bind {{t|ráı}}? === | |||
No, you have to use {{t|hụ́sa}}. | |||
<!-- | |||
=== What's the difference between an indirect question and a {{t|ꝡé}} phrase? === | |||
The distinction is extremely important logically speaking, but English usually conflates the two, so many people overlook the difference. The following example illustrates the difference: | |||
# {{t|Dua jí ꝡä chı súq hí raı.}} = "I know ''what'' you believe" | |||
# {{t|Dua jí ꝡé chı súq hóa.}} = "I ''know'' what you believe" | |||
Let's say that what you believe is [God exists]. | |||
# says that I know that you believe [God exists], because I know what it is that you believe | |||
# says that I know that [God exists] is true, because I know that which you believe to be true. | |||
--> | |||
== Tools and resources == | |||
=== Is there a way to check whether my sentence is correct? / Is there a translator from Toaq to logic notation? === | === Is there a way to check whether my sentence is correct? / Is there a translator from Toaq to logic notation? === | ||
You can use [[Kuna]]'s web interface [https://toaq.net/kuna/ here]. | |||
=== How can I join the [[Discord]] server? === | |||
Use [https://discord.gg/qDqDsH9 this invite link]. | |||
=== Is there a frequency list? === | |||
Yes! See [https://github.com/toaq/corpus/blob/main/frequency-list.txt frequency-list.txt] in the [https://github.com/toaq/corpus/ corpus] repo. | |||
=== | === Is there a list of translated sentences? === | ||
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bCQoaX02ZyaElHiiMcKHFemO4eV1MEYmYloYZgOAhac/edit#gid=1395088029 This spreadsheet] has up-to-date example sentences in the "Refgram examples" and "A sentences" sheets. <!-- | |||
=== Where does the Toaq logo come from? === | === Where does the Toaq logo come from? === | ||
✅ It's original. | ✅ It's original. | ||
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✅ {{t|A U I O E}} | ✅ {{t|A U I O E}} | ||
--> | --> | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
--> | --> | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
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✅ There is, but it is outdated: https://www.memrise.com/course/1974691/toaq-simple-predicates-2018-06-03/ | ✅ There is, but it is outdated: https://www.memrise.com/course/1974691/toaq-simple-predicates-2018-06-03/ | ||
--> | --> | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
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Marking number is never required. It is usually obvious (or not terribly important) whether something is one thing or more than one thing. When in doubt, read a bare noun as plural unless context suggests otherwise. | Marking number is never required. It is usually obvious (or not terribly important) whether something is one thing or more than one thing. When in doubt, read a bare noun as plural unless context suggests otherwise. | ||
--> | --> | ||
<!-- Unlike previous versions of Toaq, {{t|q}} does not have any allophonic variation - that is, it is always [ŋ] - because syllables may also end with {{t|m}}, which needs to stay distinct. --> | <!-- Unlike previous versions of Toaq, {{t|q}} does not have any allophonic variation - that is, it is always [ŋ] - because syllables may also end with {{t|m}}, which needs to stay distinct. --> | ||
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|} | |} | ||
--> | --> | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
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https://media.giphy.com/media/ggK1ZflC7o7OLMJ3Xk/giphy.gif | https://media.giphy.com/media/ggK1ZflC7o7OLMJ3Xk/giphy.gif | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
--> | |||
Latest revision as of 23:35, 25 September 2024
This page answers some frequently asked questions about Toaq.
Getting started
Where do I start learning?
Try Toaq with Ease or the Grammar overview. The most complete resource is the refgram.
"Complementizer"? "Covert"? I don't understand the refgram at all!
Don't worry, that's okay! It was written for an audience of linguists, not language learners. Focus on the example sentences if you feel lost in the jargon. If you don't understand a concept, try searching this wiki. You can also ask questions on Discord.
How do I type the tone marks/symbols/diacritics?
See Input methods.
What's the word for...
You can look it up on Toadua, the community dictionary.
Speaking and writing
How many tones are there? What does each tone do?
There are four tones, but each one has various uses depending on the part of speech they are used with. Simplifying things a lot, 
is for particles and verbs, 
is for particles and (pro)nouns, 
marks subordination, and 
is for adverbs. See Tone for a thorough overview.
How do you pronounce…?
Please refer to https://toaq.net/refgram/phonology/.
What's up with the letter q in this language? Pronunciation of q
q is somewhat special and its pronunciation may not be immediately obvious. It is pronounced like English ⟨ng⟩ (IPA [ŋ]). The use of the letter Q is a nod to Rex May’s Ceqli, an international auxiliary language with loglang elements; it’s also found in natural languages such as Fijian (where it represents [ᵑɡ], to be exact).
What's with the ı / i without dot / dotless i?
Writing ı without the dot distinguishes it more from an i that carries a tone mark, it also makes more room for an adjacent tone mark. Overall, it just makes things easier to read. See Latin writing system.
Grammar
Can I fill fewer slots than a verb has?
Probably! See Underfilling.
How do I skip slots? (What's the equivalent of Lojban's FA?)
While not an exact equivalent of Lojban’s FA, if you need to access the last slot of a verb, you can use Object incorporation. Alternatively, just fill the slots with pronouns.
How does bọ work? What is the meaning / place structure of bọdo?
Semi-officially, it moves the direct object to the front, and removes the old subject. See bo-.
How do numbers work?
The official number system is that numbers are just verbs: saq means "___ are three in number", so Saq jío means "the buildings are three" and sá jıo saq means "some buildings that are three" (three buildings).
A more elaborate unofficial number system is described at User:Loekıa/Numbers.
How do I refer back to sá without a following verb? Does it bind ráı?
No, you have to use hụ́sa.
Tools and resources
Is there a way to check whether my sentence is correct? / Is there a translator from Toaq to logic notation?
You can use Kuna's web interface here.
How can I join the Discord server?
Use this invite link.
Is there a frequency list?
Yes! See frequency-list.txt in the corpus repo.
Is there a list of translated sentences?
This spreadsheet has up-to-date example sentences in the "Refgram examples" and "A sentences" sheets.