the sun and Polyphemus - Tree of Souls

Ashen Key · #1 05-28-2011, 03:54 AM

I don't suppose anyone knows what the Na'vi call Polyphemus, do they? I can't seem it find it in the scripts or in the various dictionaries that are floating around.

Also, does anyone know where the term 'tsawke' for 'sun' came from? (or, possibly came from, in terms of the etymology)

**ISV Venture Star** · #2 05-28-2011, 05:21 AM

Yeah, I've wondered that myself. I'd also like to know whether they have any mythology associated with it.
Not sure of the etymology of tsawke.

Ashen Key · #3 05-28-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISV Venture Star

Yeah, I've wondered that myself. I'd also like to know whether they have any mythology associated with it.
Not sure of the etymology of tsawke.

With 'tsawke', I just don't get it. I can get 'tsaw', meaning big, and 'ke', meaning 'no' or 'no', but it's the biggest thing in the sky, so THAT makes no sense. I can get 'tsa' to also mean 'that', but then that leaves the 'wke', which I don't understand. And the meaning of the word probably at least says SOMETHING about how they view the sun, so it's vexing I can't get it.

Empty Glass · #4 05-28-2011, 05:33 AM

Add this to the list of things James Cameron needs to explain in the novel.

**ISV Venture Star** · #5 05-28-2011, 08:51 AM

This would be a good question for Paul Frommer.

'Oma Tirea · #6 05-29-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISV Venture Star

This would be a good question for Paul Frommer.

IIRC it has been tried, and he suggests it's a matter for Cameron. Sadly some aspects of the language are a little out of his control, for obvious reasons.

Ashen Key · #7 05-29-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Oma Tirea

IIRC it has been tried, and he suggests it's a matter for Cameron. Sadly some aspects of the language are a little out of his control, for obvious reasons.

Annoying - I'm actually really amazed that it's not official what their name for Polyphemeus is, it's the biggest thing in their sky, and more constant than the sun.

Oh, well, time to make things up should it come up in fic, I suppose.

Human No More · #8 05-28-2011, 07:16 PM

Tsaw means 'that' - which doesn't really work as a compound word - big is tsawl.

Ashen Key · #9 05-29-2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human No More

Tsaw means 'that' - which doesn't really work as a compound word - big is tsawl.

Oops, so it is. My bad, I dropped the 'l'.

...still doesn't make sense *pokes tsawke*