Difference between revisions of "Na'vi Names"

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A fourth way is simply to spell your own name using the Na'vi alphabet and phonetics.  This may require some creativity on your part, because not every sound in English (or your native language, whatever it may be) is available in Na'vi.  For example:
 
A fourth way is simply to spell your own name using the Na'vi alphabet and phonetics.  This may require some creativity on your part, because not every sound in English (or your native language, whatever it may be) is available in Na'vi.  For example:
 
* "Sam" would be spelled '''Säm''' in Na'vi (Na'vi '''ä''' sounds like ''cat'', Na'vi '''a''' sounds like ''father'')
 
* "Sam" would be spelled '''Säm''' in Na'vi (Na'vi '''ä''' sounds like ''cat'', Na'vi '''a''' sounds like ''father'')
* "Mark" would be spelled '''Mark''' in Na'vi, but because Na'vi words can't end with "rk", you'd want to make it '''Marki''' or '''Marko''' or '''Markus''', etc.
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* "Mark" would be spelled '''Mark''' in Na'vi, but because Na'vi words can't end with "rk", you'd want to make it '''Marki''' or '''Marko''' or '''Markusì''', etc.
 
* "Bethany" is problematic, because Na'vi has no ''b'' sound and no ''th'' sound.  But Na'vi '''p''' is close to ''b'', and Na'vi '''t''' is close to ''th'', so '''Petani''' is a pretty close Na'vi substitute.
 
* "Bethany" is problematic, because Na'vi has no ''b'' sound and no ''th'' sound.  But Na'vi '''p''' is close to ''b'', and Na'vi '''t''' is close to ''th'', so '''Petani''' is a pretty close Na'vi substitute.
  

Revision as of 20:31, 25 February 2010

Picking your Na'vi name might seem like a daunting task, but there are a few tips that can guide you in the right direction.


How to Pick Your Name

One of the most obvious ways to find a Na'vi name is to look in the English to Na'vi Dictionary and find a few words that interest you. These words can then be put together to mean something. An example of this is ikran makto (banshee rider).

Another way to find a Na'vi name is to to find the etymology of your name, or a word or phrase that you like, and translate it into Na'vi.

A third way of thinking of a Na'vi name is to think about what is unique about you and translating it to Na'vi. Everybody has a Na'vi name, so choosing something unique about yourself gives you a more unique name, and a name that will be less likely for someone else to already have.

A fourth way is simply to spell your own name using the Na'vi alphabet and phonetics. This may require some creativity on your part, because not every sound in English (or your native language, whatever it may be) is available in Na'vi. For example:

  • "Sam" would be spelled Säm in Na'vi (Na'vi ä sounds like cat, Na'vi a sounds like father)
  • "Mark" would be spelled Mark in Na'vi, but because Na'vi words can't end with "rk", you'd want to make it Marki or Marko or Markusì, etc.
  • "Bethany" is problematic, because Na'vi has no b sound and no th sound. But Na'vi p is close to b, and Na'vi t is close to th, so Petani is a pretty close Na'vi substitute.

Is my Name Grammatically Correct?

A problem that many beginners have is that they want to make their Na'vi name before they learn the grammar of the language. To make sure that your name is grammatically correct, here are a few basic pointers. When using adjectives in Na'vi, you must put an a on the side of the adjective that the noun it modifies is on, for example: Tsawla Uniltìranyu OR Uniltìranyu Atsawl (tall dreamwalker). A detailed account of Na'vi grammer is available in the Na'vi Pocket Guide.

Questions

If you have questions about making a Na'vi name, please go to the LearnNavi.org Forum, and post a question in the 'Beginner' section.