Anthropology

How to invent a realistic language for fictional speakers

Fictional languages like Avatar’s Na’vi are providing insight into real-world communication

An illustration of two Na'vi from the Avatar movies. Their mouths are open and white glowing symbols and letters are coming out as they speak.

Illustration by Jason Raish

By Maria Temming

This is a human-written story voiced by AI. Got feedback? Take our survey . (See our AI policy here .)

The distant moon Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar films is a feast of sci-fi world-building. Dragonlike creatures prowl the skies.