Your lord and master speaks!.. at Wellesley College

[Nìwotxkrr Tìyawn]

If this has been posted elsewhere, then you can hit me.

* Where: Wellesley College, 106 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482
* Date: October 21, 2010
* Time: 7:30pm

In 2009's blockbuster hit "Avatar," the Na'vi, an indigenous species of the planet Pandora, speak in a tongue incomparable to any spoken by humans— a language that had to be built from the ground up for the film.

Director James Cameron tapped Paul Frommer, professor emeritus of clinical management communication at the University of Southern California, for the job, who then spent years creating and later teaching the language to seven of the film's actors.

"This is an alien language but obviously it has to be spoken by human actors," said Frommer, in an interview with BBC News. ""It has to be sounds that human beings are comfortable producing."

Frommer will talk about his involvement in the project during "The Native Voice of 'Avatar': Creating and Navigating the Na'vi Language" Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 pm in Tishman Commons, Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, on the Wellesley College campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Frommer will discuss how he got the job, developed the language and worked with Cameron and the actors. He will also talk about the interplay of language and culture in the creation of Na'vi and Na'vi post-"Avatar," including the astonishing development of a Na'vi community, where passionate enthusiasts are using the language to communicate and helping with its further growth.

The lecture is a highlight of a new course this fall at Wellesley. Angela Carpenter, assistant professor of cognitive and linguistic sciences at Wellesley, created the class, "Invented Languages: From Wilkins' Real Character to Avatar's Na'vi." She hopes the lecture will ignite discussion on the topics of language learning and invention.

"Over the centuries, invented, or artificial, languages have been devised for many reasons, including a desire to improve existing languages, an effort to unite the world, or a need to explore how languages are learned," she said.

"Invented Languages" explores 400 years of historical, philosophical and sociological background and requires each students to invent a language.

"It was then a natural addition to invite Paul Frommer, as he had invented a language that has become well-known around the world because of the success of the film 'Avatar,'" Carpenter said.

* Features: Free, Open to All

[Toruk Makto]

I think this is the first I have heard of this. Thanks for posting it!

[Ekirä]

I think I'm going to die.


Seriously? Karyu Pawl in Massachusetts?


Tonight?!?!?!?!


My parents will never drive me to this........if only I had heard of it a couple days ago. 

[Txonä Unil Stä'nìyu Rolyusì]

Gahhh! WHY can't I live in Massachusetts! And why can't a class like that be offered in my college! *sigh* I suppose I should just be patient....I'm sure Karyu Pawl will come to Portland sooner or later. I just hope it's sooner

-Txonä Rolyu

['Evan]

The aussie article mentioned a speaking tour, I guess this is the start. Wish we has a course like that at my school.  

[Txur’Itan]

Coolness.

Anyone getting video of the event?

[Ekirä]

I'm going.

I'm going, I'm going, I'm going!!!

@Txur'Itan--I don't have a good enough video camera to take a video of the event.......I would if I could.

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

I wonder if a list of cities on K. Pawl's speaking tour will be published. Let's hope Reno is one of them....

[Lolet]

I'm going.

I'm going, I'm going, I'm going!!!

@Txur'Itan--I don't have a good enough video camera to take a video of the event.......I would if I could.

You're going! LUCKY!

[Maria TunVrrtep]

I wonder if a list of cities on K. Pawl's speaking tour will be published. Let's hope Reno is one of them....

LOL I know at least ONE person in Houston who would be going if he came here.

[Payä Tìrol]

Ah, only just heard about this now

Also, was busy at the time, oh well!

[Ftiafpi]

Wow, that's excellent! Thanks for posting this, totally wish I could take the time off to go see him.

[Ekirä]

I'm back, so glad I was able to make it.

It was an excellent talk. He's an awesome guy and a very good speaker--despite the planned slide not working at all.

Plus, I got my Na'vi dictionary signed.

[Plumps]

Plus, I got my Na'vi dictionary signed.

*hrh* nice one
I hope with one or two additional words...?

[Ekirä]

Plus, I got my Na'vi dictionary signed.

*hrh* nice one
I hope with one or two additional words...?

Nahh....I didn't have the nerve to ask.

[Prrton]

He had to improvise the entire thing because of massive IT fail for which the university will have to raise its lame hand, but I'm sure it was great.

I think this was the last US appearance scheduled publicly before he heads Down Under. I was not aware that it was going to be open to the general public.

He must be exhausted. He's been flying back and forth across N. America like laces on a shoe. Makes me tired to even think about it.

[Ekirä]

He had to improvise the entire thing because of massive IT fail for which the university will have to raise its lame hand, but I'm sure it was great.

It must be so embarrassing for the university when this happens..... It had a really big turn out, too. Almost all the seats filled up.

I think this was the last US appearance scheduled publicly before he heads Down Under. I was not aware that it was going to be open to the general public.

Sran, he did say he was headed to Australia after this talk. I can't imagine flying around all the time like that......

[Prrton]

I can't imagine flying around all the time like that......

I did it for most of July for work. 

Na'vi has the perfect word for it:

  Vrrìn

'Ivong Na'vi!