Mipa ayopin, mipa aylì’u–New colors, new words

[Swoka Swizaw]

FNGAPIN!

There...a new word (I hope). The other night I was contemplating Karyu Frommer's colors, but specifically the variations of light and dark and had a thought that there is one scheme that we could imagine that the Na'vi might accentuate. After humans arrived on Pandora, the Na'vi were subjected to human concepts, like our language and "culture"; so I figured why not a new sort/concept of "color."

If I am correct, the Na'vi cannot forge and purify metal like we can. I imagine that their metal is something like obsidian, thus wouldn't look like anything we've used for tens of centuries. Human metal - with a chrome-like sheen - might have seemed odd to them. Not really a variation of teyr or layon, and definitely not ngul, this metallic surface deserved a new word as it is a new concept: fngapin!

['Oma Tirea]

A small personal thought:

Fìlì'u alu ॐ lu yawne oer

[Kì'eyawn]

A small personal thought:

Fìlì'u alu ॐ lu yawne oer

HRH.  Although technically i think that would get transliterated *awm, since the Sankrit is A-U-M

[kewnya txamew'itan]

FNGAPIN!

There...a new word (I hope). The other night I was contemplating Karyu Frommer's colors, but specifically the variations of light and dark and had a thought that there is one scheme that we could imagine that the Na'vi might accentuate. After humans arrived on Pandora, the Na'vi were subjected to human concepts, like our language and "culture"; so I figured why not a new sort/concept of "color."

If I am correct, the Na'vi cannot forge and purify metal like we can. I imagine that their metal is something like obsidian, thus wouldn't look like anything we've used for tens of centuries. Human metal - with a chrome-like sheen - might have seemed odd to them. Not really a variation of teyr or layon, and definitely not ngul, this metallic surface deserved a new word as it is a new concept: fngapin!

I'm pretty sure that, depending on its brightness they'd just describe it as "neyn na fngap" or "vawm na fngap", if it's a more middle shade, "ngul na fngap" might not be so far removed as you expect, I think Frommer's use of drab is just to help us know what colours it includes rather than a reflection of the na'vi view of those colours.

[Swoka Swizaw]

I'm pretty sure that, depending on its brightness they'd just describe it as "neyn na fngap" or "vawm na fngap", if it's a more middle shade, "ngul na fngap" might not be so far removed as you expect, I think Frommer's use of drab is just to help us know what colours it includes rather than a reflection of the na'vi view of those colours.

Fair enough. Thought it was worth a try. BTW, concerning your use of "na," there, do we finally have a distinguished meaning for it compared to "pxey?"

[wm.annis]

Fair enough. Thought it was worth a try. BTW, concerning your use of "na," there, do we finally have a distinguished meaning for it compared to "pxey?"

Pxel, I assume you mean.    We're still waiting on that.  We only have one example of this from Frommer,

Fwa sute pxel nga tsun oeyä hì'ia tìngopit sivar fte pivlltxe nìlor fìtxan oeru teya si.
That people like you can use my little creation to speak so beautifully fills me (with joy).

I'm a little puzzled by the lack of attributive a here, too.  In any case, na is used far more often.

[Muzer]

I have a sort of feeling that I understand it, but it's hard to express (feel free to prove me wrong with example(s), I haven't really researched this, it's just a spur of the moment thing). I'll give it a shot, though; if someone can put it into clearer terms I'd be greatful.

Pxel could be used for actual objects that are the same type as another object, if you see what I mean. So "people like you" - as the people are actually people like you are. Na, on the other hand, could be used when something has one attibute that is similar to the attribute of something else - like these uses of na for colours. It doesn't mean that the colour IS a leaf (for example), just that you are referring specifically to the green attribute of the leaf to further describe the colour.

[Kì'eyawn]

I have a sort of feeling that I understand it, but it's hard to express (feel free to prove me wrong with example(s), I haven't really researched this, it's just a spur of the moment thing). I'll give it a shot, though; if someone can put it into clearer terms I'd be greatful.

Pxel could be used for actual objects that are the same type as another object, if you see what I mean. So "people like you" - as the people are actually people like you are. Na, on the other hand, could be used when something has one attibute that is similar to the attribute of something else - like these uses of na for colours. It doesn't mean that the colour IS a leaf (for example), just that you are referring specifically to the green attribute of the leaf to further describe the colour.

Fìsäfpìl oeyä eltur tìtxen seiyi nìtxan, ma Muzer.

[Kayrìlien]

I would also like to know why palulukan is "dry mouth bringer of fear", but I don't think we would find out...

Well, I don't think the Na'vi would have enough time to say "Tul neto! Zera'u ukxoa kxa mungeyu txopuyä!" each time a thanator came charging after them. They'd get eaten. 

Kayrìlien

[Sireayä mokri]

Well, I don't think the Na'vi would have enough time to say "Tul neto! Zera'u ukxoa kxa mungeyu txopuyä!" each time a thanator came charging after them. They'd get eaten. 

Well this at least could be something close to ukxoa kxa mungeyu txopuä, but shorter. I don't see any connection between this and palulukan...