Avatar, the blockbuster film that has taken the world by storm, has become the first movie to earn $1 billion in ticket sales. This sci-fi epic is not only an entertaining feast for the eyes, but it also introduces moviegoers to a unique language created exclusively for the film. The story takes place on an alien planet called Pandora, inhabited by various strange species. The most humanoid inhabitants of Pandora are the Na'vi, and it is their struggle against human interlopers that forms the core narrative of the film.
In order to add authenticity to his vision of an alien race, Avatar's director, James Cameron, enlisted the help of a professor of linguistics from the University of Southern California to create a new language for the Na'vi. This language, known as the "Na'vi script", was designed to be visually striking and easy to read on screen. By creating this language specifically for the film, Cameron was able to ensure that audiences could connect with and understand the characters in a deeper way.
Despite its success at the box office, Avatar has not been without its controversy. Some critics have argued that the film's reliance on a fictional alien language detracts from the overall message of the story. However, others believe that this language adds to the film's immersive experience and helps viewers to fully immerse themselves in the world of Pandora.
In addition to its unique language, Avatar has also been released in both 2D and 3D versions to accommodate different viewing preferences. Whether you watch it in theaters or at home, however you choose to experience the film, there is no denying that Avatar has captivated audiences around the world and set a new standard for science fiction films
The language of the Na'vi, as portrayed by the character in James Cameron's Avatar, has been a subject of fascination for many since the movie was released in 2009. To help bring this alien language to life on screen, Professor Paul Frommer worked closely with the director for four years to expand upon the original 30 words that Cameron had already come up with and make it more natural to human ears.
According to Professor Frommer, the most important aspect of the Na'vi language was its ability to be articulated. "This is an alien language but obviously it has to be spoken by human actors," he told the BBC. "It has to be sounds that human beings are comfortable producing." The language currently has a lexicon of around 1000 words, but Professor Frommer hopes to expand it in possible sequels to the film and in video games.
Professor Frommer even hopes that one day his creation will become as sophisticated as the Klingon alien language from the Star Trek films. "There's a translation of Hamlet into Klingon," he said. "If anything happened like this with Na'vi I'd be delighted."
