NotW #11: Robert Nantangä Tirea

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

Who are you?

Spoiler

My name is Robert Walters. I'm 20 years old and I live in the suburbs of the massive city of Atlanta (GA, U.S.A). Right now I am a fulltime student studying Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech, with the hopes to one day design and build racing aircraft; as well, the move AVATAR has opened my eyes to the excitment of space so who knows where I will end up! With the past year I've begun developing my interest in cosplaying and it's become my favorite hobby. Every year I hope to increase the number of conventions I attend and costumes I make/wear. Cosplaying is like problem solving, and it's a great opportunity to be a perfectionist or an artist.

Why are you here?

Spoiler

I was already in love with the movie AVATAR before it even came out. The language in the movie really stood out to me because of it's exotic and different sound. Having read in interviews that the language was completely made just for the movie, my curiosity led me to Google the language and see what I could find. It was Christmas weekend, right after the movie had come out, and I discovered LearnNavi.org. The site was very new, barely a week old. I created an account right away and downloaded the vocabulary. I couldn't begin to even know what a huge gold mine I had just discovered.

Where do your alias and profile pic come from?

Spoiler

My forum name (Na'vi name) is Robert Nantangä Tirea, which means "Robert, Spirit of the Viperwolf". Several factors led to this choice. I had opened my account under "Robert Walters" and had already begun forming friendships and contacts before I decided to give my name Na'vi flare, so I kept the Robert so I was recognizable. I've always been a fan of wolves and coyotes, and the the viperwolves from the movie were especially cute to me. So I chose a name that I felt represented my spirit.

My profile picture is of my Jake Sully native Na'vi costume I wore to Animazement 13 this year. Yes, that's me .

Srak nga tsun nìna'vi pivlltxe?

Spoiler

Srane, oeru Na'viyä lì'fyati plltxe slä numeyu lu. My greatest weakness right no is vocabulary. Due to college classes in the spring I had to put my Na'vi frenzy on hold for a bit but I've re-awakened my love of the language and resolved to know it by heart before the end of the year. Now, where did I put my flashcards...
On a related note, learning Na'vi has opened my eyes and mind to the desire to learn more languages. I once had a heated argument with a friend where I tried to convince him that by speaking a language you give it life, and even if it was created yesturday, if someone speaks it  then it is a real language. This made me want to give life to other exotic and invented languages, like Atlantean (from Disney's AtLE) and Huttese (from Star Wars).

What's your favorite Na'vi word? Did you incorporate it (or others) into your everyday vocab?

Spoiler

Well I'm a man of action, so I love words that I can use a lot. Words like "fìtrr (today)" and "tewti (wow!)" are very useful. I also love words that sound unique and exotic, especially if they are fun to say, like "nantang" and "fìvrrtep". if I had to pick a SINGLE FAVORITE word, I would have to go with a little invention of my own I call "aysa'noksiyu". No, you will NOT find it in the dictionary .

In your opinion, what are the top three user-created content on the LN website?

Spoiler

I've decided to pick my three from different categories.
1) Top learning material I would play on Taronyu's Dictionary. The activity book is a very close second but as I use the dictionary more, my buddy Taronyu wins the vote.
2) Top artwork I would put with Skxawng's incredible Na'vi-ifications. I'm afraid to ask for one for fear my cosplays would never live up to it's greatness .
3) Top performance I would naturally have to give to Chocobochic (now Tirea Paluan) for her as yet undefeated perfection on her Neytiri costume. A true Na'vi on Earth.

Have you made any contributions to the LN community that you're particularly proud of?

Spoiler

Well I certainly regret not contributing as much as I could (read, "should!") have... buuuuuuut, I think my greatest contribution to date is initiating a wide, diverse, and growing cosplay group here on the forums. What started as just myself and a few others has grown into a 20+ odd group of regulars who are there to share and support those who are new to this and would otherwise be too unsure/scared/anxious to paint themselves blue in public ^.^

What is it that you liked/hated the most about Avatar ?

Spoiler

I pretty much loved everything about AVATAR from the first trailer I watched. The new-world-adventure, the tomorrow's-technology, and good-lasts-forever themes were especially important to me. It would have been nice to have seen the troops more accurately displayed as a mercenary force than simply "Marines" but it didn't soil the movie for me.
My favorite scene in the movie would have to be the climb to Iknimaya (what I wouldn't give to get the chance to do that!), and the scene that annoys me the most is Jake Sully shaving (why not use an electric razor!?!?)

Has Avatar  changed your life in any way?

Spoiler

Well since watching AVATAR and immersing myself in the Na'vi world, I have broadened my viewpoints and perspectives of other cultures. I've striven to look at other people, especially foreigners, as NOT foreigners. I've tried to imagine living in other places,  with other families, in other enviroments.
I've started learning about indigenous people's struggles all over the world, and learning about what is and can be done to help.
Obviously, my interest in languages has been expanded, and not just common languages but unspoken ones as well.
I vowed to grow my hair out at least as long down as my butt
I'm working to be more energetic, enthusiastic, outgoing, and vicarious with my life. I want when people stand next to me to just feel the energy flowing from me, exciting everything around.

If you could ask Frommer or Cameron three movie or language related questions what would they be?

Spoiler

I would ask Frommer:
1) What is the word for or the equivalent to "adore" in Na'vi? Kame and tìyawne are fine words but I want to know what word(s) the Na'vi have to express a true and deep affection/affiliation for someone.
2) Is the Na'vi language your "Crowning-Moment-of-Awesome" which you will continue to nurture or do you have the desire to create another and even more bizarre/exotic language?
and I would ask Cameron:
3) Does it bring you peace to have created something that was only in your mind, or does it carry with it a price of knowing that life might not ever live up to your imagination?

What else do you do in you free time?

Spoiler

I like to sell things on eBay, I'm a big fan of MMORPGs, and I love singing along to music.

Name your top three favorite Earth animals from most favorite to least. Why those? What's the animal you're most terrified of?

Spoiler

My three favorite Earth animals would have to be Cats, Wolves, and hawks. I love all kinds of cats, from big cats to house cats. Wolves have always been special to me because I find both the "lone-wolf" attitude and the pack "team spirit" appealing. And hawks are just awesome because they're feisty, cunning, and yet gracefully glorious. I think the animal I would be most terrified of is parasites, cause I hate the idea of things inside my body.

Pirate, ninja, zombie, or robot?

Spoiler

Well even since I was a kid I've always been a Pirate kinda guy so that's the easy answer. If I was gonna have a superpwoer though, well that's a tough one. I suppose it would boil down to either flight or teleportation.I'm inclined to want time travel to see what the future holds but I want to experience it as well, so in that case I would be better off just living forever xD.

What three items would you take to a desert island and why?

Spoiler

Well For starters I would take a fries making machine, a dune buggie, and a hot girl!

If you could travel to anywhere in space and time (including fictional universes), where would you go and why?

Spoiler

I would probably be selfish and save Trudy from dying, but after that I would go back in time and solve historical mystery's like whether Atlantis existed, what happened to people in the Bermuda Triangle, etc. And defenitely hang out with some vikings, cause they rock.

If you were granted one single wish what would it be?

Spoiler

To have my own wings to fly with.

What is a question you'd ask yourself? How would you answer it?

Spoiler

I would ask myself if I am living up to my dreams, because it's something we all have to ask ourselves all the time but it can be so hard sometimes with the mundane-ities of life.

True or false?

Spoiler

1) Been on TV?
2) Been on Radio?
3) Been on Stage?

What is the funniest, weirdest, or most embarrassing Na'vi or Avatar  related thing that has happened to you?

Spoiler

When I went to Animazement in May, I was only attending for a day so I didn't get a hotel room. This meant I had to arrive in costume because I didn't have a place to prep. Well the drive was about 6 hours long so I got some interesting looks and conversations when I stopped for gas or waved at other drivers on the road xD

Has your Avatar cosplay changed your perspective on the movie Avatar, the Na'vi people, or our world in general?

Spoiler

Certainly. One thing I've learn from being a Na'vi is that braids are awesome. It feels weird and yet cool to have it swigning behind you and the extra weight helps your posture, keeps your chin up (no slouching!) Plus it's cute when you go to bed, it reminds me of my childhood blankies or stuffed animals in a way.
Cosplaying a Na'vi has helped shaped the way I look at people, because I've received so many different reactions. Instead of noticing how someone is different than me (sicne that is the easy and natural response) I've tried noticing how they are the same as me. If we were to ever find aliens in our huge universe, I would want to be an ambassador for the human race.
Lastly I would say cosplaying has given me a desire to experience different cultures. Cosplaying is fun an all but in the end it's just pretending, I want to go out and actually experience new places and lifestyles, immerse myself in a different people.

[Tirea Aean]

HHahahahaha Aysa'noksiyu!!

EDIT: out on a limb: TFT

['Oma Tirea]

Guessing: F, T, T

[Kayrìlien]

HHahahahaha Aysa'noksiyu!!

Wow. You just won, sir. New favorite word, right there!

And I'll say True, True, False.

Congratulations!

Kayrìlien

[kewnya txamew'itan]

FFT

You're an engineering student (granted not electronic) so you may have heard of them, I wouldn't put it past you to make sure your T/F ended up spelling it. Also, stage is easier than TV or Radio.

[P.A.'li makto]

I think you have been on radio, so: F, T, F.

[SunTzu te tsamtseo]

i'll go for F/T/T

[Le'eylan]

F - Tv ,,... probably not
T - Radio- YES. Cause... radio's cool x)
T - And everyone has been on a stage

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

I'm very sorry I couldn't write it out in Na'vi, I sort of ran out of time and besides my vocab skills aren't up to par atm so maybe later I will come back and redo it.

also, I want to thank Steven Lang for nominating me the next NotW, it's a privledge.

Also, thank you to whoever stickied the top, slipped my mind.

[Ftiafpi]

Another exciting NotW! Yay for another pirate like myself.

"aysa'noksiyu"

TFT I'm guessing.

[Taronyu]

Robert is the man.

that's all I really have to say here.

['Oma Tirea]

I'm very sorry I couldn't write it out in Na'vi, I sort of ran out of time and besides my vocab skills aren't up to par atm so maybe later I will come back and redo it.

Tam-tam, nga ke lu nì'awtu.  Oe nerume nìteng.

"aysa'noksiyu"

Now that I think of it, that word is pretty funny

['Oma Tirea]

My forum name (Na'vi name) is Robert Nantangä Tirea, which means "Robert, Spirit of the Viperwolf".

Would you ever consider changing your forum name to "Ropert te Nantangä Tirea?"

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

My forum name (Na'vi name) is Robert Nantangä Tirea, which means "Robert, Spirit of the Viperwolf".

Would you ever consider changing your forum name to "Ropert te Nantangä Tirea?"

That's how it is formaly, yes. If I am speaking Na'vi with someone and I say my name, I pronounce it "Ropert". Just on the forums I spell it Robert.

[Tirea Aean]

well...in Na'vi..o vs. a, oh vs. ah. jus sayin

it probably might take some time to get used to Raprrt Nantangä Tirea...HRH

[kewnya txamew'itan]

well...in Na'vi..o vs. a, oh vs. ah. jus sayin

it probably might take some time to get used to Raprrtì Nantangä Tirea...HRH

Remember pseudovowels can only go in CV syllalbes.

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

I treat it more like the whole "Jake Soolly" thing, spell it english but give it some Na'vi pronuciation flare when spoken. "French-itize" the pronunciation x

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

Congratulations on being picked NoTW!

I'm going to guess F F T on your T/F questions.

If you are studying to be an aeronautical engineer, and want to design racing aircraft, I wonlder if you ever make it out to the Reno Air Races? If so, it would be fun to meet up, and since you like cats, I would introduce you to our (big) cats.

I might also pick your brains about doing a good Na`vi costume. That is my goal for Halloween this year.

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

Hey, great name btw, love it.

[Robert Nantangä Tirea]

I have been wearing my "kaltxì" shirt throughout the week in honor of my NotW position.

Now, what sort of Na'vi-ish thing should I do this weekend to celebrate? Try to order pizza in Na'vi only? Graffiti Na'vi words in a set number of bathrooms across town? Find random people and give a gift to the first person that responds correctly in Na'vi?

YOU DECIDE O.O

(mostly so uh if it fails I can blame YOU, bwahaha.)