#buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut it is still rather distracting ^^;

[nattikay]

psa for all avatar fanfic writers who feel the need to use Na’vi terms in their fics:

“ma” does not mean “my”

I know it’s tempting to think of it that way because it sounds similar, but it doesn’t. It’s a particle used when addressing someone directly. Think of it like a verbal @ sign. You use it when you’re talking to someone, never when you’re talking about someone.

✅ You should fix the basket, ma ‘itan. ❌ You should help ma ‘itan fix the basket.

✅ Ma Neytiri, did you go hunting earlier? ❌ I heard that ma Neytiri went hunting earlier.

Ma ‘ite = @ daughter, not “my daughter” Ma ‘itan = @ son, not “my son” Ma yawne = @ beloved, not “my beloved” 

With ‘ite and ‘itan specifically I sometimes see it smushed into one word (ma’ite/ma’itan)--this is also incorrect. Even more so is using the tìftang as a connector between ma and whatever name or term you’re using (ma’yawne, ma’Jake, etc), which I’ve also seen once or twice. Tìftang is just a normal part of the words ‘ite and ‘itan; it has nothing to do with the “ma”.

furia aynga zola’u ne TedTalk oeyä, irayo  thank u for coming to my Ted Talk