Help Wanted: Na'vi Language Textbook

ShavedTailLouie · April 13, 2011, 11:55:52 AM

Kaltxi,

I posted this at Avatar-Forums.com. This is not a plug for any site in particular, please read:

So, I have looked over the net and have found sites that have information on the Na'vi language but nothing that is comprised in such a way that anyone can pick it up to learn. I have taken plenty of language classes and I have a hard time picking up Na'Vi and I want to so I imagine it must be equally as frustrating for those who are on the fence.

I want to create a comprehensive Na'vi textbook for beginners and advanced users. Anyone who wants to help contribute please let me know: [email protected]

I figure we'll need artwork and sentence examples. This, as should all things Avatar related, is a community event/project. I will be contacting other Avatar sites as well (learnnavi.org, etc) for assistance.

I think this language can flourish but not if its hidden in esoteric murkiness. Na'vi can be the voice of Mother Earth if we let it. (May be getting carried away but you know...)

We can do this. I have several language textbooks on which to base the structure and we all love Avatar and the Na'vi. Lets make it happen!

Toruk Makto · April 13, 2011, 12:47:11 PM

There is actually a plethora of learning materials here. Take some time and take a closer look around, or you could end up duplicating some effort.

ta Markì

Tswusayona Tsamsiyu · April 13, 2011, 12:48:21 PM

we already have Na'vi in a Nutshell, books for beginners and also the forum has a lot of resources. also there's the wiki and other guides of the language.

ShavedTailLouie · April 13, 2011, 01:29:24 PM

I have read Na'vi in a Nutshell and it is a great guide. I feel that there can be improvements on presentation and content to allow people new to languages and Na'vi alike to be able to pick it up and be engrossed with the language and culture of the Na'vi in one book. I believe that Na'vi in a Nutshell is exhaustive but it is also sparse in the activities and context that allow language to be understood.

Carborundum · April 13, 2011, 02:26:01 PM

Have you seen this? It's a Na'vi Language Textbook created by a fellow called DustyWhite/Kaltxì Palulukan.

Might I suggest this be moved to the Projects forum?

omängum fra'uti · April 13, 2011, 04:25:07 PM

Quote from: Carborundum on April 13, 2011, 02:26:01 PM
Have you seen this? It's a Na'vi Language Textbook created by a fellow called DustyWhite/Kaltxì Palulukan.

Might I suggest this be moved to the Projects forum?

While that is a useful learning tool, I wouldn't consider it a textbook. I'd think a textbook tends to have more structured lessons, each building on the last, rather than just more or less random exercises.

However, creating a proper textbook is not easy, even when you base it off a language textbook. There's a few things you must decide before you even start, and then stick with.

First, what is the target audience? If you're writing a textbook for linguistic students, it's a far different style than if you were writing it for anyone to pick up, even people with only one language.
Next, what style will the book be? Will it be more workbook style (But with structured exercises, each building on previous)? Will it just be a series of lessons each building on the last?
How will the lessons be organized? Will it be by topic (IE around the house, out for a trip, social situations, etc) or will it be by grammar (IE verb forms, noun cases, etc)? The former would probably be more encouraging for people to pick up, but more challenging to create the right balance between introducing new concepts and reinforcing old concepts without throwing out too much at once.

(As you can tell, I've put a lot of thought into this, I'd been working on possibly doing a textbok myself, but I've got several higher priority projects.)

(Moderator hat) This isn't a language update though; language updates is only for new information on the language. A textbook is, as Carborundum suggests, just another project. Moving the thread there.

ShavedTailLouie · April 13, 2011, 07:01:20 PM

Omängum Fra'uti, you are absolutely right. It is a demanding task. I have been thinking about this for a while too. The resources needed are great, which is why I believe this should-and to and extent-must be a community project.

The target audience I believe will benefit all walks would be that of a middle school student being introduced to a language for the first time. This audience has the basic grasp of the English language necessary to convey the concepts of grammar that will be covered in the book.

I believe, and know to be true, that a true textbook has lessons that build upon the last, structured exercises, and topical chapters that add new information while reinforcing information covered in the previous chapter. All of the things you mentioned I have thought about and it is nice to know that I am not alone in my desire to see a proper textbook created on this subject.

I know a proper textbook encompassing the language and culture can be created. The information is there just not formed in a way for the layperson to grasp. I know of several people active in the Avatar community that wish to learn the language but find the information to be either too esoteric to those who already understand Na'vi or just too confusing.

We can do this, we just need the resources and the coordination.

Seseni · April 13, 2011, 09:56:46 PM

While this is a great idea, and many people (including me) will be helped by it, you have to keep in mind that the language is constantly growing. The textbook will have to be kept current with new grammar rules, vocabulary, and new constructions/idioms. This might change the order of some of the lessons, depending on how you format it.

ShavedTailLouie · April 13, 2011, 10:23:53 PM

Future proofing the textbook is crucial especially with the 2 new movies coming and a novel due out. I am hoping to coordinate with Na'vi language gurus to get the basics in the textbook so that when new things arrive: vocabulary, grammar rules, etc those who have read the book will be able to pick them up quickly and apply them.

As for major update to the basics, thats why we have save files and version updates.

This book will be for the beginner and intermediate Na'vi enthusiast. It will be comprehensive and easy to use as well as be a reference for those who get stuck on the basics when using advanced language techniques. It will be basic enough for those who want to learn but will have information in it that will challenge the intermediate Na'vi speaker.

ShavedTailLouie · April 15, 2011, 06:35:44 AM

Update:

I have spoken to several like minded individuals who have talents in graphic design and the language. My hope is to have "Chapter 1: Kaltxi" done this weekend. I will post it when done, open to comments/suggestions as always.

Stranger Come Knocking · April 16, 2011, 10:36:05 AM

I think this is a great idea, and I totally support it, but I'm curious to first know the future of the Na'vi Activity Book seeing as it will be part of a more progressive series. $:-\$ I mean, there are more than a few textbooks for any language, but I would hate to see unintentional tail-treading.

ShavedTailLouie · April 16, 2011, 10:55:12 AM

I have spoken to Kaltxi Palulukan and have received his blessing to use the information in the Na'vi Activity book. That book took alot of time and effort and I am very thankful that he is allowing it to be integrated into the text book. He asked that the text and not the artwork be included as the art is property of the artists, so anyone who would like to contribute any artwork to the book please let me know: [email protected]