Mipa säwäsultsyìp ahì’i A new little contest

[Toliman]

Mipa säwäsultsyìp ahì'i   A new little contest
http://naviteri.org/2021/06/mipa-sawasultsyip-ahii-a-new-little-contest/
Posted on June 30, 2021 by Pawl


Kaltxì, ma frapo!

It's been an unusually busy month for me, but the things I've been involved in have been quite interesting. Spaw oel futa fayu ayngane zayawprrte' nìteng.

To kick off the second half of the year, I thought it would be fun to have another little contest, this time to create new proverbs and idiomatic expressions.

My idea is this: Entrants would contribute either one new proverb, one new idiomatic expression, or one of each. I'd receive the contributions anonymously, judge them, and announce the results. Entries will be judged on creativity, aptness, conciseness, and naturalness–that is to say, the sense that these proverbs and expressions evolved naturally among the Na'vi and often turn up in their conversation. Winning entries that I feel make the grade will become part of the official language and appear in our dictionaries.

Guidelines

Proverbs

These can be of three types.

Type 1: Proverbial expressions that uniquely reflect the Na'vi, their culture, and their environment. These could not have developed anywhere but on Pandora. Examples:

   Kxetse sì mikyun kop plltxe.
   'The tail and ears also speak.'

   Ätxäle si palukanur tsnì smarit livonu.
   'Ask a thanator to release its prey.'

   Txìm a'aw ke tsun hiveyn mì tal mefa'liyä.
   'One butt can't sit on the backs of two direhorses.'

Type 2: Proverbial expressions that are not necessarily unique to Pandora and could have arisen elsewhere, but that play with the Na'vi language:

   Kem amuiä, kum afe'.
   'Proper action, bad result.'

   Fwäkì ke fwefwi.
    'A mantis doesn't whistle.'

   Payìl a lipx tskxeti ripx.
    'Dripping water pierces a stone.'

   Txo ke nìyo', tsakrr nìyol.
   'If you can't be flawless, then be brief.'

Type 3: Proverbial expressions with the characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2.

Note that the intended meaning of a proverb is not necessarily apparent at first glance. (What does "A mantis doesn't whistle" mean?) But once it's explained, it should feel natural. (In this example: 'Don't expect someone to do something that's not in their nature.')

Idiomatic expressions

These are brief conversational phrases unique to Pandora:

   (na) loreyu 'awnampi
   'like a touched helicoradian'

   pewn torukä
   'the Toruk's throat'

   sre fwa sngap zize'
   'before the hellfire wasp stings'

   (na) kenten mì kumpay
   'like a fan lizard in gel'

With these idioms as well, the meanings may not be immediately apparent, but once explained, they should be clear and striking.

What do you think? Do you like this idea? If so, what's the best way to implement this little contest? In particular, what's the best way for me to receive the entries anonymously? I'm open to suggestions! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Hayalovay!

[Vawmataw]

Edit to add: 10 July

Pìlok tolätxeiaw!!!

As some of you may have noticed, the blog was offline for a short time. It was due to a bureaucratic error, and getting the problem resolved was frustratingly difficult. But eventually it worked out. I am very relieved!

Fya'o angäzìk ne kum akosman. ('All's well that ends well.') 🙂

Ma Eana Unil, ma Vawmataw, ma Plumps, ma Wind12, ayngeyä aysämokìri sì tìslanìri seiyi oe irayo. I agree that Google Forms is a good solution to the anonymous contribution question. I'm working on an appropriate form.

I'm glad you like the contest!

[Toliman]

Txantsan fwa pìlok tolätxaw

[Toliman]

Contest Entry Form
http://naviteri.org/2021/07/contest-entry-form/
Posted on July 31, 2021 by Pawl


Kaltxì nìmun, ma frapo!

I hope you've been having fun coming up with new Na'vi proverbs and idioms. Now it's time to submit your entries!

I used Google Forms to create the entry form. (Fingers crossed that I did it correctly!) You'll find it here:

https://forms.gle/ctcwr11JM8KyG5j29

As you'll see, I've asked you to enter a 7-digit code (example: 9272031) that will be unique to you. I'll announce the winning entries via these codes, and then the winners can identify themselves.

You can submit either one proverb, or one idiom, or one of each.

Deadline for submission:
Saturday, 7 August 2021, midnight PDT (Pacific Daylight Time).

Furia tse'a aysäfpìlìt ayngeyä, srefereiey nìprrte' nìngay!

ta P.