Kangkem looks like 'awm...anyone?

[Swoka Swizaw]

'Awm = a camp; tì'awm = camping; tì'awm si = to camp. These are already established.

To point, we have a word which has NEVER sat well with me: tìkangkem; it means "work." Work could be thought of as an abstract noun, unless I'm incorrect. Tìkangkem si is "to work. This all follows the pattern above. If we were to suppose that 'tìkangkem' is an abstract noun, what might "kangkem" be? I suggest that it could be "a job."

I equally know that I have NO official say in anything, but am demonstrating this to see if anyone has had this same thought that this word just appears odd. Srane? Kehe?

[Carborundum]

Yeah, I've been down the same line of thought. I imagine kangkem might actually be kan + kem = aimed action = work/job.
However, that's just speculation until Frommer says aye or nay.

[Plumps]

Yeah, I've been down the same line of thought. I imagine kangkem might actually be kan + kem = aimed action = work/job.

It is ... Frommer said so already – here

'Work' needs some explanation, which I'll provide when I have a bit more time. Hint: kan is the verb meaning 'aim.'

[Carborundum]

Yeah, I've been down the same line of thought. I imagine kangkem might actually be kan + kem = aimed action = work/job.

It is ... Frommer said so already – here

'Work' needs some explanation, which I'll provide when I have a bit more time. Hint: kan is the verb meaning 'aim.'

Well, I'll be. I've most likely read that and then forgotten about it, only to have the idea resurface as my own

['Oma Tirea]

Hmmm...

Well if "kangkem" is derived from "kan" and "kem", why would it be spelled the way it is instead of just "kankem"?

[Carborundum]

Hmmm...

Well if "kangkem" is derived from "kan" and "kem", why would it be spelled the way it is instead of just "kankem"?

Possibly the e at the end on zene is removed instead of a n -> ng transformation? I'unno, you're the phonetician.

['Oma Tirea]

Hmmm...

Well if "kangkem" is derived from "kan" and "kem", why would it be spelled the way it is instead of just "kankem"?

Possibly the e at the end on zene is removed instead of a n -> ng transformation? I'unno, you're the phonetician.

Even though Na'vi is an oral language, this is more about the romanized orthography of Na'vi rather than the pronounciation.

[Carborundum]

Hmmm...

Well if "kangkem" is derived from "kan" and "kem", why would it be spelled the way it is instead of just "kankem"?

Possibly the e at the end on zene is removed instead of a n -> ng transformation? I'unno, you're the phonetician.

Even though Na'vi is an oral language, this is more about the romanized orthography of Na'vi rather than the pronounciation.

I was under the impression that zenke really was pronounced zɛnkɛ. In double-checking the entry in Taronyu's dictionary, I have realized my mistake.
In which case I have no idea why it would be spelt in the way it is.

[Swoka Swizaw]

Yeah, I've been down the same line of thought. I imagine kangkem might actually be kan + kem = aimed action = work/job.
However, that's just speculation until Frommer says aye or nay.

Dude...

I am sad that I never saw the 'kem' in that. I admit my practice of Na'vi leaves a bit desired, but I knew 'kem.' Mrrh. (But, I'm just happy I got this...right, I guess.)

I was under the impression that zenke really was pronounced zɛnkɛ. In double-checking the entry in Taronyu's dictionary, I have realized my mistake.
In which case I have no idea why it would be spelt in the way it is.

Put simply...

Zen(e)ke. If the word is emphasized in the first syllable, the second [e] is dropped. The [n], then, becomes [N] as it assimilates with [k]. This is happenstantial and, by that, should be spelled "zenke" to maintain the original root. 'Kangkem', I think can be rendered either way. "-ngk-", for me, is more apt to express an almost intentional (pure?) assimilation.

[Plumps]

Again, at these instances, the Canon page is still your friend

I've spelled it zenke, even though it's pronounced with a velar nasal. And I realize I've been inconsistent in doing that, since I've spelled lumpe with an m rather than the underlying n. Was probably influenced by English ("impossible," but "income"). But maybe a little inconsistency isn't the worst thing in the world.

['Oma Tirea]

... Was probably influenced by English ("impossible," but "income"). But maybe a little inconsistency isn't the worst thing in the world.

I just hope he doesn't overdo it with Na'vi.  The last thing we need in an overly inconsistent orthography (especially due to strange vowel shifts over the course of Na'vi being spoken, which, irayo si Eywaru, is quite unlikely to happen ).