Capitalization

[Tsufätu Ayioangä]

Ok, I know in English we capitalize proper nouns, but I haven't seen anything on this site that deals with capitalization in Na'vi (although I have noticed that most of the time, 'taruk' is not capitalize).  Is that because Na'vi isn't generally a written language?

[Ftiafpi]

Ok, I know in English we capitalize proper nouns, but I haven't seen anything on this site that deals with capitalization in Na'vi (although I have noticed that most of the time, 'taruk' is not capitalize).  Is that because Na'vi isn't generally a written language?

As it's a spoken only language there are no capitalization rules, rules for commas, periods, question marks, etc.

However, since we're writing it we need something to denote tone of voice, etc. so written English grammar seems to be the way everyone's doing it (Frommer included), I'd stick with that.

That said, it's definitely not wrong to leave out capitalization (I know I do it on the words beginning with ä and ì) or other punctuation if you feel it won't affect the understanding of the sentence.

[Nìwotxkrr Tìyawn]

The Na'vi themselves don't write anything, everything is oral with them.

[Txontaw]

Pretty much. You don't have to capitalize anything if you want, or put periods, commas, or any other english-type punctuation.

But proper nouns are capitalized for the most part, just so that you know they are proper.

EDIT: Ninja'd Na'vi'd

[Tsufätu Ayioangä]

Ok.  So, for example, people that don't have their display name capitalized aren't wrong, or I don't have to capitalize the 'mi' in my name?

So what about hyphens?  I've noticed that when a suffix or prefix is added, the hyphen is kept.  Is that just so beginners know it was added?

EDIT: Ninja'd Na'vi'd

AWESOME

[Nìwotxkrr Tìyawn]

Ok.  So, for example, people that don't have their display name capitalized aren't wrong, or I don't have to capitalize the 'mi' in my name?

So what about hyphens?  I've noticed that when a suffix or prefix is added, the hyphen is kept.  Is that just so beginners know it was added?

EDIT: Ninja'd Na'vi'd

AWESOME

Yes, it is meant for beginners so it is easier for the people lower than us to learn.

[Tsufätu Ayioangä]

So once someone gets up to a higher level the hyphens are dropped.  Good to know thanks

[Nìwotxkrr Tìyawn]

Well I'm not saying that you absolutely have to drop them, it all depends on whether or not you want to help the eveng.

[Ftiafpi]

Well I'm not saying that you absolutely have to drop them, it all depends on whether or not you want to help the eveng.

I also use it in the intermediate section with we are specifically discussing an affix or something. But, yes, hyphens and <> are there only for clarity.

[kewnya txamew'itan]

In general I only use hyphens and brackets in the beginner section.

Occasionally it is necessary to use them in the intermediate section though, for example someone might (incorrectly) think that mamakto was ma-makto rather than m<am>akto so in that case I might clarify.