Slovura 09 - Modifier Grouping

When several modifiers occur together, their grouping determines which concepts modify which.

Slovura uses pi to change that grouping.

The exact default grouping is different in phrases and compound words, but pi serves the same basic purpose in both: it marks a boundary between groups.

Grouping in Phrases

Without pi, modifiers in a phrase are applied from left to right.

First B modifies A. Then C modifies the resulting phrase. Finally, D modifies that result.

This is the same modifier-grouping logic used in Toki Pona.

pi in Phrases

The particle pi changes the grouping of the words that follow it.

Instead of C and D modifying the head separately, C D is treated as a group which modifies A B.

This is particularly useful when the intended modifier is itself a multi-word phrase.

Grouping in Compound Words

Compound words use a different default grouping.

The first root is the head. The roots after it form its predicate, which is built from left to right.

For example, the four roots are not interpreted in the same order as four separate words in a phrase.

This difference is part of the internal structure of Slovura compounds.

pi in Compound Words

pi can also appear inside a compound to override its normal grouping.

This creates the same explicit grouping as pi does in a phrase: the material before pi forms one group, while the roots after it form another.

Unlike spaces, pi does not end the compound. The whole expression remains a single compound word.

The Same Marker, Two Defaults

The easiest way to compare the two systems is:

The default grouping differs, but pi has the same basic function: it explicitly changes the grouping of the expression.

Remember

Next

Continue with Slovura 10 - Whole-Word Modifiers to learn about roots that can change the normal grouping of a compound.