Paul Frommer!

Welcome to the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are going to take a little break from the Christmas topics to celebrate the new upcoming “Avatar” film coming out this Friday by having a really cool dive into the world of “Pandora” and Dr. Paul Frommer!

When audiences first stepped into the world of “Avatar”, they were mesmerized not only by the stunning visuals and immersive storytelling but also by the unique and fully realized language of the “Na’vi” people. The mastermind behind this linguistic feat is Dr. Paul Frommer, a linguist and professor who crafted the “Na’vi” language from scratch at the request of director James Cameron. Cameron wanted a language that felt alien yet believable, one that actors could learn and fans could speak. Frommer delivered a rich, structured language complete with its own grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics; something that hadn’t been done at this scale for a blockbuster film before.

Dr. Frommer, who holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from USC, had experience in both academic and corporate worlds before being tapped for “Avatar”. At the time, he was a professor at the USC Marshall School of Business, but his lifelong passion for language and a background in constructed languages (conlangs) made him the perfect fit. He was given a few words Cameron had invented; like “Na’vi” and “Eywa”; and asked to build a full language around them. Frommer developed a working grammar system, pronunciation rules, and over 1,000 words for the first film, teaching it to the actors and working closely on set to ensure authenticity in every syllable.

Frommer’s work didn’t stop after the original “Avatar” (2009). As the franchise expanded, so did the language. With the release of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in 2022 and the upcoming sequels, Frommer has continued to evolve the “Na’vi” language, developing new dialects for different clans and expanding its lexicon. He also engages with the global community of fans who study and speak “Na’vi”, providing resources and updates that support its growing popularity as a real-world constructed language. His dedication has turned “Na’vi” into one of the most celebrated cinematic languages ever created, drawing comparisons to “Klingon” from “Star Trek” and “Elvish” from “The Lord of the Rings”.

The story of Paul Frommer and “Avatar” is a testament to the power of language to enrich storytelling. His creation didn’t just add flair to the film; it helped ground an alien culture in emotional truth, making the “Na’vi” people feel authentic and multidimensional. Frommer’s contribution proves that even in a world dominated by visual spectacle, words still matter. Through “Na’vi”, he has helped shape the soul of “Pandora”, reminding us that language is not just a means of communication, but a bridge to deeper understanding.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Paul Frommer: When people make statements or express opinions, always ask; or think to yourself; “How do you know that?”

Thank you for reading today’s article! We will see you next week with another awesome one!

-Giancarlo