Interpreting a Public Claim

Level 6

Ko identifies a role; e ai ki names a source; me expresses advice or obligation. Conditions limit when a requirement applies.

How It Works

Civic prose combines familiar constructions. An identifying ko clause establishes a role. E ai ki attributes the following proposition, including a requirement it contains. Me introduces advisable or necessary action; context determines whether English “should” or “must” captures its force. A condition introduced by ki te limits application.

Transitive me constructions include an unsuffixed verb with an unmarked affected participant and an e-marked actor. Modern instructions also use an ordinary subject and an i-marked object. Neither construction excludes the other. Verbs have no plural agreement ending; ngā mema katoa includes all specified members.

Compare a group's identification as organiser with a committee's attributed instruction: one establishes a role, the other identifies whose requirement is presented. Read document-specific definitions within their stated scope. Grammatical interpretation alone does not establish certified legal equivalence.

Examples (3)

  1. Ko tēnei rōpū te kaiwhakahaere o te hui.

    This group is the organiser of the meeting.

    The identifying clause establishes a public role.

  2. E ai ki te komiti, me pānui te pānui e ngā mema katoa.

    According to the committee, all members should read the notice.

    Attribution covers the requirement; e marks its actors and katoa includes all specified members. The repeated pānui functions first as a verb and then as a noun.

  3. Ki te kore koutou e whakaae, me matapaki anō te kaupapa.

    If you do not agree, the matter should be discussed again.

    The condition limits application of the recommendation; koutou addresses at least three people. The main clause leaves its actors implicit.

How It Connects

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Interpreting a Public ClaimLevel 6

Learn This First

Separate identification, attribution, requirements and conditions, interpreting their scope through the document's stated participants and institutional setting.