Part 4 · grammar — Chapter 13 · pronouns

Deixis: here and there

Deixis refers to words whose meaning depends on the speaker's position in space or time. In Phi, the particles ha and ra mark proximity and distance.

ha: here / this (proximal)

The proximal particle ha marks something as near the speaker, either physically or conceptually.

ha — here (as a location) ha melu — this friend (near me) ha philo — this day (the present day)

mia ha nai. — I am here. ha shiro phelora nai. — This tree is beautiful. wa thia ha womu sano. — Do you know this home?

ra: there / that (distal)

The distal particle ra marks something as far from the speaker.

ra — there (as a location) ra melu — that friend (over there) ra toremoa — that mountain (in the distance)

shia ra nai. — They are there. ra shiro ru whalo nai. — That tree is very large. wa thia ra womu sano. — Do you know that home?

Using ha and ra

As noun modifiers, ha and ra appear directly before the noun they modify:

mia ha peloru lothea. — I love this flower. mia ra peloru lothea. — I love that flower.

They can combine with other Slot 2 particles:

ha lo melu — these friends ra nu wi shiro — that second tree

Spatial and temporal reference

While ha and ra primarily mark spatial distance, they can extend to temporal reference:

ha philo — this day, today ra philo — that day (in the past or future)

ha torua — this year ra torua — that year

No three-way distinction

Some languages distinguish three levels: near the speaker, near the listener, and far from both. Phi uses only two: near (ha) and far (ra). If finer distinctions are needed, speakers can elaborate with additional locational phrases.

Sound symbolism

The sounds reinforce the meanings: - ha begins with an open breath, immediate and present - ra rolls outward with the r; the roll itself is acoustic distance

This phonetic iconicity helps learners remember which particle indicates which distance.