Alternate Basic alphabet

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The alternate Basic alphabet was a form of writing in the galaxy. Not as common as Aurebesh, its origins and relationship to it were unknown. This alphabet was frequently used in signatures.

It may even have been a fairly commonly used alphabet, as Obi-Wan Kenobi asked Anakin Skywalker whether he had a "plan B" when they became trapped by ray shields during their attempt to rescue Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.^[1] HoloNet News broadcasted headlines on Coruscant in this alphabet.^[2]

Also suggesting the widespread use of the alternate Basic alphabet is the naming of the so-called Rebel Alliance and New Republic -wing starfighters, all of which bore some resemblance to their namesake letters in this alphabet.

This alphabet seemed to have some similarities, and even some common heritage with an even more mysterious and obscure secondary alternate alphabet.

Contents 1 Texts written in this alphabet 2 Droid names examples 3 Other examples 4 Behind the scenes 4.1 Canonicity 4.2 Non-canon appearances 5 See also 6 Appearances 7 Sources 8 Notes and references 9 See also

[edit] Texts written in this alphabet

Although the usage of this alphabet was less common than Aurebesh, there is indication that whole (although few) texts were written in it.

• Aro logo
• COMPNOR logo
• Corellian Security Force (CorSec) hovercraft
• CSA logo
• Declaration of a New Republic
• Interstellar Parcel Service logo and signage (Non-canonical appearance)
• Jedi code
• R-duba police hovercraft
• Sienar Fleet Systems logo
• Sunburst Mining logo
• Technical Specifications: Spacecraft of the Imperium and the Rebel Alliance
• Trade Federation logo

[edit] Droid names examples

Droid names often derived from letters in this alphabet:

• Atedeeate
• Artoo Deetoo
• See Threepio
• Emtrey
• Emkay
• Fourex
• Geenine
• Ninebeedee

[edit] Other examples

• The Victory I-class Star Destroyer Gnisnal had corridors named Q and R.^[3]
• C-beams

[edit] Behind the scenes

This article describes the occurrences of the Latin alphabet in the Star Wars universe; it is a form of writing in the real world and is the most common alphabet of Western nations, usually containing about twenty-six letters. Although canon has established the fictitious writing system of Aurebesh, it is somewhat unsurprising that this alphabet, especially its American English variant, make their appearance in the Star Wars universe, as the Star Wars movies and most Expanded Universe materials are of American origin.

[edit] Canonicity

Unlike Aurebesh, neither the term "Latin alphabet" nor the existence of the Alphabet itself is ever mentioned or taken into consideration by in-universe or out-of-universe terminology or references. Roman labels in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope were edited into Aurebesh in the DVD release, indicating that George Lucas had some reasons to believe that real-world Roman letters don't belong in the Star Wars universe.

The text seen on viewscreens in The Star Wars Holiday Special is in English, rather than Aurebesh, due to the fact that the Star Wars universe had not yet 'matured' and Aurebesh had yet to be invented at the time in the real world. Aurebesh was introduced five years later in Return of the Jedi.

It is not clear if all occurrences should be ignored from our mind as artistic license, and be considered as 'translated' Aurebesh; indeed letters Aurek and Besh have been used where A or B would be used (see for example "Unit Aurek-Three" instead of "Unit A3", or "HK-58 Aurek" and "HK-58 Besh" and not "HK-58A and B").

On the other hand, Roman letters can be seen alongside Aurebesh in some sources and logos, or are very meaningful, more than if replaced by Aurebesh, as in the case of the -wing ships names. Indeed an X-wing is named as such because of its resemblance with the Roman letter X, while it has no relation to the Aurebesh letter Xesh.

[edit] Non-canon appearances

The Happy Nerf Herder's signage was in basic, as were various other Coruscant signs around 50 BBY.^[4] Darth Vader's diary was written is this script.^[5]

[edit] See also

• -wing
• Droids

[edit] Appearances

• Hate Leads to Lollipops (Non-canonical appearance)
• Fett Club (Non-canonical appearance)
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Mentioned only)
• Star Wars Droids 4: Lost in Time
• Star Wars Droids 5: Separated
• Lunch Break (Non-canonical appearance)
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (pre-DVD version only)
• The Far Orbit Project
• The Star Wars Holiday Special
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Mentioned only)
• The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays
• The Other
• X-wing Rogue Squadron 26: Family Ties, Part 1

[edit] Sources

• Ask the Master - Star Wars Insider 90
• The Essential Chronology
• Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook
• Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] See also

Latin alphabet on Wikipedia