The meaning of Lì'.

[Swoka Swizaw]

Is there perhaps any particular reason that Frommer hasn't given a definition for what lì' means? At this point, all of the many words containing it are quite pervasive...so what could it mean?

The first word was lì'u, "word" or "_____ thing", which is an obvious contraction of lì' and 'u. It is alright to assume that it is lì' (and not "lì") because of the next word, lì'fya, "language" or "_____ way". This little word or particle of a word is too much part of Na'vi now to not have a proper definition.

Lord knows, it can't mean "spoken", unless it is something away from, but like, plltxe. I have thought about this a bit and can't come up with a bloody thing. Has anyone else done any thinking on this or have talked to Frommer about it?

[Tirea Aean]

OR

Lì'u could just be a root and have nothing at all to do with 'u, and the fact that 'u is in the word is coincidenhal, and that lì'fya is short for lì'u(ä) fya'o.


My theory. Interesting question.

[Swoka Swizaw]

OR

Lì'u could just be a root and have nothing at all to do with 'u, and the fact that 'u is in the word is coincidenhal, and that lì'fya is short for lì'u(ä) fya'o.


My theory. Interesting question.

Touche, maT.A. I like that, as well.

[Blue Elf]

Interesting explanation, ma Tirea, but I must admit I'm not fan of analyzing words this. That two words have something common doesn't  have to mean that this common part is a root. This can explain just Paul, IMHO.
Although - this kind of analysis gave us new words, thats true....

[Tirea Aean]

Of course, discussion about recurring structures in words with seemingly related meanings is always interesting. The question alnways remains, is it coincidental or deliberate? Pawl knows.

['Oma Tirea]

IIRC it used to mean "say" way back in the days when the language was only a couple of months old.  It could've also been a word in prehistoric Na'vi as well.  Now, it's obsolete.

[Tirea Aean]

IIRC it used to mean "say" way back in the days when the language was only a couple of months old.  It could've also been a word in prehistoric Na'vi as well.  Now, it's obsolete.

I've been around longer than you and don't remember that..?

['Oma Tirea]

I lurked here for about 5 months before I joined, so not that much longer

Lì'u could just be a root and have nothing at all to do with 'u

But then how would you explain the (now incorrect) usage of lì' when it was used more than a couple of years ago?

I'm guessing K.P. would say lì' was once a word root or so surprise us by saying that lì'u had nothing to do with lì'.

[Tirea Aean]

I dont remember ever seeing Lì' used. I beleieve you that it was. So that shoots my theory then.

[Swoka Swizaw]

I dont remember ever seeing Lì' used. I beleieve you that it was. So that shoots my theory then.

I am almost certain that it never has been.