Nav    Nav

This script was invented by Ian James, who was inspired by the language used in James Cameron’s movie Avatar, released in December 2009. The language Na’vi was in turn invented by linguist Paul Frommer. The speakers of this language live on the fictional planet Pandora in a natural symbiosis with the flora and fauna around them. Some information about the language can be found at LearnNavi.org.

Notable features

Consonants

The phonology of Na’vi is fairly simple and euphonious. Here, each consonant is shown with the vowel /a/ attached and, where applicable, in its syllabic-final or solo form in the right column. It will be noticed that, except for the liquids and glides, there is a family of base shapes which are modifed for various articulations. In the official transcription used here, the only surprise is the set of ejectives, which have x as their second letter.

Nav consonants

Vowels, pseudo-vowels, multi-vowels

Here are the other vowels, shown with the syllable onset /p/ attached. In the second line, the so-called pseudo-vowels /rr/ and /ll/ are shown, as well as a diphthong and a vowel cluster.

Nav vowels, pseudo-vowels, multi-vowels

(There is still some uncertainty over correct resolution of diphthongs and glides within a string of vowels.)

Punctuation features simple diagonal slashes: one for comma, two for period, three for a stressed comment or exclamation.

Examples

There is as yet very little official material available regarding Na’vi dialogue. Here are some words and phrases gleaned from the internet.

Sample words and phrases in Nav

Translations

1. Oeri ta peyä fahew akewong ontu teya längu.
My nose is full of his alien smell.

2. Fìskxawngìri tsap’alute sengi oe.
I apologise for this moron.

3. Oel ngati kameie.
I see you.

4. Txo new nga rivey, oehu!
Come with me if you want to live!

5. Eywa
the Pandoran deity

6. tiftia kifkeiä
science

Letrr Na'viyä

In addition, there is a non-cursive alphabet inspired by the look of letters printed in documents of the Sky People (humans).

Letrr Na'viyä

Sample text

Sample text in Na’viyä

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Videos in and about Na'vi

Feedback about Nav may be sent to ianrjames[at]hotmail[dot]com

Alphabets by Ian James

Akkhara Muni, Amethyst, Bostani, Elektrum, Fontok, Klaekson-Zaen, Maui, New Akha, New Maori, New Mong, Pranish, SIGIL, Sigil Panel Script, Slinseng-Fi, Tengwar for Scottish Gaelic, Xylphika

See also: http://www.skyknowledge.com/orthographies.htm

Constructed scripts for: Ainu | Arabic | Chinese languages | Dutch | English | Hawaiian | Hungarian | Japanese | Korean | Lingala | Malay & Indonesian | Persian | Tagalog / Filipino | Russian | Sanskrit | Spanish | Taino | Turkish | Vietnamese | Welsh | Other natural languages | Colour-based scripts | Tactile scripts | Phonetic/universal scripts | Constructed scripts for constructed languages | Adaptations of existing alphabets | Fictional alphabets | Magical alphabets | A-Z index | How to submit a constructed script

[top]


Green Web Hosting - Kualo

Why not share this page:

 

iVisa.com

If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.

 

Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission if you click on any of them and buy something. So by clicking on these links you can help to support this site.

Get a 30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime (UK)

If you're looking for home or car insurance in the UK, why not try Policy Expert?

[top]

iVisa.com