Getting Started
Fya'o a tsyul
The Na'vi language is wonderfully developed and an excellent way to immerse yourself in the world of Avatar. With effort, learning Na'vi can be a hobby that has returns. Learning Na'vi develops skills like language learning, critical thinking, communication, and world perspectives. Plus, you'll meet like-minded people who can very easily become your friends!
The best way to get started is to connect with our Community via the Discord or on Social Media. Learning a language is about learning how to communicate. Without other speakers to practice with, it is impossible to develop that skill. When you do, introduce yourself and get to know some people! We're a community of nerds who all speak a fictional language from a movie, you're bound to have something in common with some of us.
Once you've started making connections, the next best step is to familiarize yourself with our Resources. The types of tools available to you are varied and designed for different learning methods, so it's up to you to decide how to utilize them to your advantage. Generally, you are going to want to begin with learning the language's sounds, then move to co-studying vocabulary and grammar.
The best way to get started is to connect with our Community via the Discord or on Social Media. Learning a language is about learning how to communicate. Without other speakers to practice with, it is impossible to develop that skill. When you do, introduce yourself and get to know some people! We're a community of nerds who all speak a fictional language from a movie, you're bound to have something in common with some of us.
Once you've started making connections, the next best step is to familiarize yourself with our Resources. The types of tools available to you are varied and designed for different learning methods, so it's up to you to decide how to utilize them to your advantage. Generally, you are going to want to begin with learning the language's sounds, then move to co-studying vocabulary and grammar.
How long does it take?
Tìftia pìmtxan krrnekx?
The average learner can begin to participate in basic conversations in as little as a week or two, with consistent practice and study. Conversational functionality (often referenced as the "Jake Bar") can come in as little as three months, which is about the time that Jake was studying with Neytiri in the film. From there, it can take many years for a learner to develop enough of a vocabulary and command of the language to achieve true fluency. However, what this journey looks like for you is heavily dependent upon several factors:
Fluency is often used as the high-mark for language learning experience, however for many learners a goal is simply being able to hold a simple conversation without struggling. This level of skill will come much sooner than complete and comprehensive command of the language. Knowing your own goals will help you achieve what you want to do.
There are many things in our daily schedule that we choose to allocate time to. There is no such thing as "not having enough time", it is simply a question of how much time you are willing to devote to one thing over another. Someone who spends an hour a day learning, studying and practicing will naturally see more marked improvement than someone who only spends a few minutes.
You are going to need to put time and effort into this hobby to truly see results. Even our most skilled teachers cannot make you good at something. Participating in conversation regularly, independent study, asking questions to our community, helping others, translating texts, and speaking in voice channels are all activities that will significantly accelerate the learning process. If you simply skim conversation or resources, you will not see much growth.
Finally, although no prior linguistic experience is necessary in order to learn Na'vi, the skills developed while learning another language do apply to learning Na'vi. They will contribute to faster growth when compared to someone with no background.
- What are your goals?
- How much time do you have?
- What are you willing to do?
- Do you have prior linguistic experience?
Fluency is often used as the high-mark for language learning experience, however for many learners a goal is simply being able to hold a simple conversation without struggling. This level of skill will come much sooner than complete and comprehensive command of the language. Knowing your own goals will help you achieve what you want to do.
There are many things in our daily schedule that we choose to allocate time to. There is no such thing as "not having enough time", it is simply a question of how much time you are willing to devote to one thing over another. Someone who spends an hour a day learning, studying and practicing will naturally see more marked improvement than someone who only spends a few minutes.
You are going to need to put time and effort into this hobby to truly see results. Even our most skilled teachers cannot make you good at something. Participating in conversation regularly, independent study, asking questions to our community, helping others, translating texts, and speaking in voice channels are all activities that will significantly accelerate the learning process. If you simply skim conversation or resources, you will not see much growth.
Finally, although no prior linguistic experience is necessary in order to learn Na'vi, the skills developed while learning another language do apply to learning Na'vi. They will contribute to faster growth when compared to someone with no background.
What is the best way to learn?
Pefya'o tìftiä lu swey?
There is no one way that is better than others. Every learner is different! With that said, there is an order that is widely accepted as the proper order to begin study. As mentioned earlier, that's to cover pronunciation/sound first, then to move to vocabulary and grammar. It's important to not put off studying grammar, however. Na'vi grammar is fundamentally different than English grammar, so learning vocabulary alone is not sufficient to begin conversing.
Be prepared to make mistakes. Mistakes are how we learn best and they are an opportunity to improve when they present themselves. The best way to make mistakes is to try to use what you've learned and embrace them as they come.
Consistent study will prove more beneficial than sporadic study, regardless of how much time you spend. You will be more successful with 5 minutes of practice daily than you will with two hours of practice once a week. Try to find ways of practicing what you've recently learned to reinforce the material. And again, don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Ask questions. There are many people who will gladly answer whatever questions you have. The only dumb questions are the unasked ones.
Help your peers! A teacher is just a learner who helps other learners, especially in the Na'vi community. As soon as you understand something, you have the ability to pass on that knowledge to anyone else who is trying to understand this. Not only does it help the community grow, but it will help your own skill grow and develop as you practice and reinforce what you've learned.
Lastly, express yourself! Many facets of Na'vi adapt to the speaker's preference. Some Na'vi speakers can be identified by the way they use the language to communicate alone. Learn how to make Na'vi less foreign to you by incorporating it into your day-to-day. Translate ideas that you are familiar with and learn the vocabulary that you are the most interested in. Ultimately, the words you care about and use regularly are going to be the most important and easiest to remember. Take ownership of your study!
Be prepared to make mistakes. Mistakes are how we learn best and they are an opportunity to improve when they present themselves. The best way to make mistakes is to try to use what you've learned and embrace them as they come.
Consistent study will prove more beneficial than sporadic study, regardless of how much time you spend. You will be more successful with 5 minutes of practice daily than you will with two hours of practice once a week. Try to find ways of practicing what you've recently learned to reinforce the material. And again, don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Ask questions. There are many people who will gladly answer whatever questions you have. The only dumb questions are the unasked ones.
Help your peers! A teacher is just a learner who helps other learners, especially in the Na'vi community. As soon as you understand something, you have the ability to pass on that knowledge to anyone else who is trying to understand this. Not only does it help the community grow, but it will help your own skill grow and develop as you practice and reinforce what you've learned.
Lastly, express yourself! Many facets of Na'vi adapt to the speaker's preference. Some Na'vi speakers can be identified by the way they use the language to communicate alone. Learn how to make Na'vi less foreign to you by incorporating it into your day-to-day. Translate ideas that you are familiar with and learn the vocabulary that you are the most interested in. Ultimately, the words you care about and use regularly are going to be the most important and easiest to remember. Take ownership of your study!
What should I do now?
Set pesalewfya?
You have several options available to you. You can either join the Kelutral Discord server, or you can have a look at our Resources and start your own journey to learning Na'vi! In the future, we will have lessons available here as well. Either way, etrìpa syayvi ulte siva ko, good luck and may you rise to the challenge!
Adapted with permission from 'So you want to speak Na'vi?' by Pamìrìk
