- "We droids think in binary. One and zero, on and off, yes and no. This gives us clarity, makes us happy. Things are either real or not real, known or not known. A thinking individual is either an organic or a droid. Simple, right?"
- ―Zeta
Binary,[1] also known as droidspeak[2] or astromech,[3] was the language commonly spoken by droids. It consisted of a set of beeps and whistles strung together into what resembled sentences.[4] The C1-series astromech droid utilized this form of communication,[5] as did Industrial Automaton's R2 series astromech droid.[4] While difficult, some organics such as Anakin Skywalker,[6] Hera Syndulla,[7] Kazuda Xiono,[8] Cal Kestis,[9] and Rey were able to understand it.[10] After decades of missions with R2-D2, Luke Skywalker was reasonably fluent in droidspeak.[11]
The most common way for binary droids to communicate with organics was by writing, conveyed via another computer system. This is how astromech droid copilots would speak with the pilot of a starfighter.[12][13]
All droids could understand binary. Without a computer system to write their words when it was necessary for organics to hear what a binary-only droid had to say, another droid, such as protocol droids or others capable of speaking a common language like Galactic Basic Standard, could translate for them.[4] The astromech BB-8 spoke in 27th generation droidspeak, a compressed variant of standard droidspeak.[2] Poe Dameron, his long-time companion, was able to understand him without any need for translation.[14]
Binary was also used as a programming language for devices that did not have the artificial intelligence of droids, such as binary loadlifters and the binary brain unit of moisture vaporators.[15][16]
Known phrases[]
- Sprrpft!—"Phooey!"[4]
- Wrrk-wrrk. Weeeeeoop!—"I said counter clockwise!"[source?]
- Wah-wah. Wrry-wrry-nahwikoo!—"Let's get outta here!"[4]
- Prrp-paree-paree pairreeoop?—I Agree!"[4]
Appearances[]
Sources[]
- C-3PO (See-Threepio) in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Sabine My Rebel Sketchbook
- Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
- Rey's Survival Guide
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 3 (Weapons & Uniforms: Droid Servants)
- Star Wars: Complete Locations
- Poe Dameron: Flight Log
- Star Wars: Build Your Own R2-D2 2 (Droid Directory: 3PO-series Protocol Droid, Part 1)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition
- Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide
- Every Language in Star Wars Movies | Star Wars By the Numbers on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (content now obsolete; backup link)
- "R2-D2" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- "C-3PO" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Legends of Luke Skywalker
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary
- ↑ Brotherhood
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
- ↑ The Rebellion Begins
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Duel of the Droids"
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels — "DUME"
- ↑ Star Wars Resistance — "Bucket's Quest"
- ↑ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens
- ↑ Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ Before the Awakening
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ Star Wars: Complete Locations