Written Language

[Maweypam]

Is there anyone else out here that thinks a written language should be made for Na'vi?

[Taronyu Leleioae]

Is there anyone else out here that thinks a written language should be made for Na'vi?

The core issue with this, is that the Na'vi language has been defined as only an oral based culture.  This is how Jake learned the basics of the language from Neytiri.  Essentially by definition (aka creation by James Cameron), there is no written language.  The Pandorapedia online guide actually has a decent summary which describes what has been observed by the sawtute regarding this language we are learning. 

The fact that the Na'vi language has no written native form, is not unusual or even out of norm.  I believe nearly all Native American cultures are based solely on oral tradition and history.  Only in the last couple of centuries, have attempts to create written forms been attempted (Cherokee comes to mind) in the last couple of centuries just to try adapt the people being forced into "white man's culture".

What I think would be interesting to explore, is the concept of the song cord used as a story telling mnemonic.  Additionally, I've sometimes wondered if the Na'vi have some sort of pictograms in simplistic form.  The Omatikaya are great weavers thus the technology itself exists.  Although we've seen no proof of this.  The only pseudo-example that might hint towards this came from the film itself where it appears (this is just theory!) that a few of the male tsamsiyu from the Clan of the Eastern Sea had a symbol design upon their chest (leather?) garment as Jake gave his speech.  Granted this is from the film image and not from the original story nor confirmed by Director Cameron, but it might make for an interesting tangent to explore further into.   

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

Although Na'vi is considered a spoken languages, there are several different scripts floating around this list. The one developed by Prrton seems to be the one that is most commonly used.

[allrock123]

If one looks at native Traditions around our world one will see an the importence of an Oral spoken interaction betwean
the Elder (Faithkeeper and Healer) and the community this is done for a number of reasons, one of the most important is the human 'Bond" betwean the Elder and the child or group, there is a face to face interaction The elder "sees" the child and the child "sees" the elder, there is allways Bonds mantained, Try and read these same storys from a book and its much harder to see the human connection,(The Bond is Broken) How many people in his forum feel a frustration when what they are trying to express is not understood,, its hard to express deep core human issues in text. with an Oral Tradition the storyteller can read those listening and help them relate as well , The Na'Vi share or "mirror" these connections for a good reason so Its my belef a written langage would break what bonds there family together. you have all seen examples of why native americans don't allow photos to be taken of sacred cermonys. well when you write down a story you are taking a snapshot of the expression of a persons spirit, that snapshot can never interact with another Spirit its frozen on paper.