How to get better?

[GEOvanne]

So Ive been studying na'vi for a while now. Ive read worksheets and articles on na'vi and know how to use the suffixes, but I still dont know how to speak it.

I tried saying something to my friend once, but couldnt get pass kaltxi
I can't even understand a little of whats being said in the na'vi only section.

How did you guys that speak it get to that level? And do you have any tips for others in my place?

[Nyx]

It sounds like all you need is practice. Start translating things. Make mistakes and learn from them. Maybe you can memorize some idioms, for example the stuff in the "getting to know you" posts on Karyu Pawl's blog. As for the na'vi nì'aw section, take your time and translate the posts on pape at first.

Use all the resources you need to "decipher" words and grammar at first, keep at it and soon you won't need to check a dictionary or grammar thing. And if you want to actually talk and not just write, get on skype or teamspeak, there are loads of helpful people there

The most important thing is to use the language and not be afraid to make mistakes ^^ Etrìpa syayvi

[Tirea Aean]

Perhaps you would benefit from Project NgayNume or the Neytiri Project,

[Tirea Aean]

Oh and I COMPLETELY agree with Nyx.

[kxamtxon nantang]

Take you favorite song or poem or something and try your best to translate it into na'vi.

[Tirea Aean]

Take you favorite song or poem or something and try your best to translate it into na'vi.

that ends up being very complicated because we dont have words for a lot of stuff. it can still be an enjoyable way to apply waht you study. and plus, it brings up new grammar and vocab questions and helps contribute to discussion and growth of the language.

and of course you want to translate the meaning not the words, and you will more than likely have to destroy the rhythm and rhyme for the sake of translating.

[Kì’onga Vul]

I don't have any specific experience with Na'vi, but I know that for any language it can sometimes be hard to find time to talk with a fluent speaker or even find one in the first place (though there seem to be plenty of resources here).

With Chinese, I know, I talked to myself and talked to the wall, playing one or both sides of the conversation.  Speaking aloud gives you practice and also lets you hear certain words and structures, so that you have an auditory reference to recall later.  The best thing is, you don't have to feel embarrassed about making mistakes!  While it's important to get feedback from someone who can pick up on mistakes you don't notice, it sounds like you're at the level where you can identify your own grammatical mistakes.  So just say something over when you get it wrong, and don't feel shy about starting slow at first.  Speaking to yourself will help you speak faster and avoid mistakes you've made in the past, which is all on the path to proficiency!