WikiDiscuss

pc:
> Well, {naku} at least seems to modify predicates
> (and does in Logic, for whatever that is worth)

Maybe we are using the word "predicate" differently.
A predicate, as I'm using it, is the thing that takes
arguments and, with the arguments, forms a sentence
(or formula). {naku} negates a sentence, or turns
a sentence into another sentence. {na'e}
changes one predicate into another predicate.

If that's an incorrect use of "predicate", let's
stick to Lojban terms: {na'e} modifies a brivla,
not a bridi. {naku} operates on a bridi, not on a
brivla. Whatever they are called, they never operate
on the same type of object.

{na} is the same as {naku} in this regard. It may
differ in the order in which it operates with respect
to other bridi operators (quantifiers and connectives).

> and has to to give a consistent story about the
> difference between {na} and {naku} — which you
> have seemed to want for other purposes before.

{naku} has never been controversial as far as I know,
I hope it is not becoming controversial now.

The only controversy about {na} has been about where
an equivalent {naku} would occur. I don't think up
to now anyone had suggested that {na} and {naku}
differed in anything but scope.

> If {na} and {naku} differ only in where they can
> occur, but have the same function throughout,
> then this problem fades away, but some subtle
> difference in quantifiers, for example, will
> arise, requiring just the sort of messy
> recalculations that people have objected too (as
> too hard, usually) in the past.

I really don't see what additional difference you
find between {na} and {naku}.

> > When opposites are clear, the neutral position
> > is usually
> > also clear. When it's not clear, it's not
> > clear, there's
> > probably not much more to say.
>
> I think it is rarely clear short of a rule: is
> the neutral between black and white gray or
> transparent or reddish orange?

Hispanic.
Or maybe Asian...

> > {na'e bo} is fairly clear, and has seen quite
> > a lot of usage.
>
> Then you need to summarize the usage. All the
> example I could find were of people asking what
> the hell it meant.

There are three example sentences already on the page.

In fact {ro na'e bo <sumti>} and {no na'e bo <sumti>}
are good ways to do "all but ..." and "none but ...".

mu'o mi'e xorxes

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