Ivi
ivi
- (v.) to strike one’s fancy, to amuse, to please
- (adj.) pleasing, amusing, likable
A ivi ivu’i i’i oku.
“I don’t like cranberries.”
Notes: It’s true, you know.
This verb kind of works like gustar in Spanish, which is a verb that works like English “to like”, but backwards. In English, we subjects like things; in Spanish and Kamakawi, things are liked by us (though in a non-passive sense).
The iku is derived from the syllabic glyph for fi wrapped around the “good circle” determinative (which contrasts with the “bad line” determinative). I haven’t yet decided if this word is actually a metaphorical extension of ivi, which means “lightning storm”… Seems like it is (because that’s what it’s like when you like something: it’s like you’re hit by lightning and killed with amusement), but I’m not sure…
Of course, since all these posts are definitions of glyphs, the point is moot, as this ivi and “lightning storm” are written differently, and, thus, shall be different entries. Nice to note, though, I suppose.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:38 am)
Kelen has a similar construction. Where the person liking something is the experiencer of liking.
January 26th, 2010 at 2:23 pm)
I can’t seem to get over the idea that all verbs have a canonical subject, and, if transitive, a canonical object. It’s tough out-thinking that. I’ve got a pretty good idea now, though, how Kamakawi’s three cases are used. (Though I didn’t plan on Kamakawi actually having cases at all. I got lucky that I had items available that could be used as such!)