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{{Top|canon=High Galactic}} | {{Top|canon=High Galactic}} | ||
The '''[[High Galactic/Legends|High Galactic]] alphabet''' was a form of [[Writing system|writing]] in [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]]. While not as common as [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]], this alphabet was frequently used in signatures and by nobles,<ref name="WW">''[[The Written Word]]''</ref> and was often associated with snobbery.<ref>''[[Scoundrels]]'', chapter thirteen</ref> It was most commonly used to write [[Galactic Basic Standard/Legends|Galactic Basic Standard]]. High Galactic letters came in two forms: a printscript, in which all letters were separate glyphs; and a handwritten, cursive form, in which the strokes of successive characters were joined and the angles rounded.<ref name="Cursive">See the signatures on the [[Declaration of a New Republic/Legends|Declaration of a New Republic]] as shown in the ''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''.</ref> While the High Galactic alphabet normally distinguished between the letters that were in larger uppercase and smaller lowercase,<ref>As seen in the [[Pets' "N" Pieces]] advertisment featured on the [[HoloNet News (original website)|HoloNet News]] official website.</ref> many logos were written entirely in capital letters.<ref name="PSG">''[[Platt's Starport Guide]]''</ref><ref name="GG12">''[[Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies]]''</ref> | The '''[[High Galactic/Legends|High Galactic]] alphabet''' was a form of [[Writing system|writing]] in [[The galaxy/Legends|the galaxy]]. While not as common as [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]], this alphabet was frequently used in signatures and by nobles,<ref name="WW">''[[The Written Word]]''</ref> and was often associated with snobbery.<ref>''[[Scoundrels]]'', chapter thirteen</ref> It was most commonly used to write [[Galactic Basic Standard/Legends|Galactic Basic Standard]]. High Galactic letters came in two forms: a printscript, in which all letters were separate glyphs; and a handwritten, cursive form, in which the strokes of successive characters were joined and the angles rounded.<ref name="Cursive">See the signatures on the [[Declaration of a New Republic/Legends|Declaration of a New Republic]] as shown in the ''[[Dark Empire Sourcebook]]''.</ref> While the High Galactic alphabet normally distinguished between the letters that were in larger uppercase and smaller lowercase,<ref>As seen in the [[Pets' "N" Pieces]] advertisment featured on the [[HoloNet News (original website)|HoloNet News]] official website.</ref> many logos were written entirely in capital letters.<ref name="PSG">''[[Platt's Starport Guide]]''</ref><ref name="GG12">''[[Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens — Enemies and Allies]]''</ref> | ||
==Origins and history== | ==Origins and history== | ||
[[File:CSAcolor.svg|thumb|left|150px|The logo of the [[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|Corporate Sector Authority]] incorporated both the High Galactic alphabet and [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]].]] | [[File:CSAcolor.svg|thumb|left|150px|The logo of the [[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|Corporate Sector Authority]] incorporated both the High Galactic alphabet and [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]].]] | ||
{{Quote|Does the weapon begin with the letter A?|[[Weequay/Legends|Weequay]] bodyguard, speaking to his [[Quay novelty toy|quay]]|<ref name="The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays"> | {{Quote|Does the weapon begin with the letter A?|[[Weequay/Legends|Weequay]] bodyguard, speaking to his [[Quay novelty toy|quay]]|<ref name="The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays">{{Shortstory|story=The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays|book=Tales from Jabba's Palace}}</ref>}} | ||
The alphabet originated as part of the [[High Galactic/Legends|High Galactic]] language, which was spoken by the colonists of [[Alsakan/Legends|Alsakan]] prior to [[17,000 BBY]], and originated during the war between the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] and the [[Tion Cluster/Legends|Tion Cluster]]. The alphabet entered widespread galactic use in approximately [[17,000 BBY]], during the [[Alsakan Conflicts/Legends|Alsakan Conflicts]]. The Alsakanese borrowed characters from [[Tionese language]] and introduced others of their own invention, creating a writing system with no ties to the [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]] or related scripts.<ref name="WW" /> | The alphabet originated as part of the [[High Galactic/Legends|High Galactic]] language, which was spoken by the colonists of [[Alsakan/Legends|Alsakan]] prior to [[17,000 BBY]], and originated during the war between the [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]] and the [[Tion Cluster/Legends|Tion Cluster]]. The alphabet entered widespread galactic use in approximately [[17,000 BBY]], during the [[Alsakan Conflicts/Legends|Alsakan Conflicts]]. The Alsakanese borrowed characters from [[Tionese language]] and introduced others of their own invention, creating a writing system with no ties to the [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]] or related scripts.<ref name="WW" /> | ||
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==Texts written in this alphabet== | ==Texts written in this alphabet== | ||
Although this alphabet was less common than Aurebesh, there is indication that whole (although few) texts were written in it. Following are several examples: | Although this alphabet was less common than Aurebesh, there is indication that whole (although few) texts were written in it. Following are several examples: | ||
[[File:AshiiNermani.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Ashii Nermani]] delivers an [[Imperial HoloVision]] newscast with headlines in both this alphabet and [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]].]] | [[File:AshiiNermani.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Ashii Nermani]] delivers an [[Imperial HoloVision]] newscast with headlines in both this alphabet and [[Aurebesh/Legends|Aurebesh]].]] | ||
| Line 23: | Line 20: | ||
*[[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|CSA]] logo<ref name="HCSSB">''[[Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook]]''</ref> | *[[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|CSA]] logo<ref name="HCSSB">''[[Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook]]''</ref> | ||
*[[Declaration of a New Republic/Legends|Declaration of a New Republic]]<ref name="HES">''[[Heir to the Empire Sourcebook]]''</ref> | *[[Declaration of a New Republic/Legends|Declaration of a New Republic]]<ref name="HES">''[[Heir to the Empire Sourcebook]]''</ref> | ||
*[[Jedi Code/Legends|Jedi Code]]<ref name="FF107">''[[The Official Star Wars Fact File 107]]''</ref> | *[[Jedi Code/Legends|Jedi Code]]<ref name="FF107">''[[The Official Star Wars Fact File 107]]''</ref> | ||
*[[R-Duba]] [[R-Duba Police hovercraft|police hovercraft]]<ref name="SWD5">[[Droids (1986) 5|''Droids'' (1986) 5]]</ref> | *[[R-Duba]] [[R-Duba Police hovercraft|police hovercraft]]<ref name="SWD5">[[Droids (1986) 5|''Droids'' (1986) 5]]</ref> | ||
*[[Sienar Fleet Systems/Legends|Sienar Fleet Systems]] logo<ref name="MBC">''[[Star Wars Miniatures Battles Companion]]''</ref> | *[[Sienar Fleet Systems/Legends|Sienar Fleet Systems]] logo<ref name="MBC">''[[Star Wars Miniatures Battles Companion]]''</ref> | ||
*[[Technical Specifications: Spacecraft of the Imperium and the Rebel Alliance]]<ref name="TFP">''[[The Farlander Papers]]''</ref> | *[[Technical Specifications: Spacecraft of the Imperium and the Rebel Alliance]]<ref name="TFP">''[[The Farlander Papers]]''</ref> | ||
===Signatures=== | ===Signatures=== | ||
| Line 40: | Line 32: | ||
*[[Doman Beruss (Corellian)|Doman Beruss]]<ref name="DES" /> | *[[Doman Beruss (Corellian)|Doman Beruss]]<ref name="DES" /> | ||
*[[Mal Biron]]<ref name="SOSR">''[[Secrets of the Sisar Run]]''</ref> | *[[Mal Biron]]<ref name="SOSR">''[[Secrets of the Sisar Run]]''</ref> | ||
*[[ | *[[Palpatine/Legends|Darth Sidious]]<ref name="TJP">[[The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (real-life book)|''The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force'']]</ref>[[File:Leia_Organa_Solo_signature.png|thumb|right|The signature of [[Leia Organa Solo]], written in a cursive form of this alphabet]] | ||
*[[Arhul Hextrophon/Legends|Arhul Hextrophon]]<ref name="RAS">''[[The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook]]''</ref> | *[[Arhul Hextrophon/Legends|Arhul Hextrophon]]<ref name="RAS">''[[The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook]]''</ref> | ||
*[[Obi-Wan Kenobi/Legends|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]<ref name="TJP" /> | *[[Obi-Wan Kenobi/Legends|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]<ref name="TJP" /> | ||
| Line 56: | Line 46: | ||
*[[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]]<ref name="TJP" /> | *[[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]]<ref name="TJP" /> | ||
*[[Roark Slader]]<ref name="JRN3">{{Journal|3|The Pentastar Alignment}}</ref> | *[[Roark Slader]]<ref name="JRN3">{{Journal|3|The Pentastar Alignment}}</ref> | ||
*[[Yoda/Legends|Yoda]]<ref name="TJP" /> | *[[Yoda/Legends|Yoda]]<ref name="TJP" /> | ||
| Line 68: | Line 57: | ||
*[[MK-09/Legends|Emkay]] | *[[MK-09/Legends|Emkay]] | ||
*[[3D-4X|Fourex]] | *[[3D-4X|Fourex]] | ||
*[[2-1B/Legends|Too-Onebee]] | *[[2-1B/Legends|Too-Onebee]] | ||
| Line 76: | Line 62: | ||
*The [[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer/Legends|''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyer]] ''[[Gnisnal]]'' had corridors named Q and R.<ref name="BTS">''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref> | *The [[Imperial I-class Star Destroyer/Legends|''Imperial I''-class Star Destroyer]] ''[[Gnisnal]]'' had corridors named Q and R.<ref name="BTS">''[[Before the Storm]]''</ref> | ||
*[[C-beam]]s | *[[C-beam]]s | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
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However, in the way that Galactic Basic ''is'' English, Roman letters were seen in some in-universe inscriptions (such as the Jedi Code) or emblems, like that of the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]]. The text seen on [[Viewscreen/Legends|viewscreens]] in ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' is in Roman, rather than Aurebesh, due to the fact that Aurebesh had yet to be invented at the time in the real world. Aurebesh was introduced later, in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''The Empire Strikes Back'']] (when R2-D2's conversation with Luke Skywalker in the [[T-65 X-wing starfighter/Legends|X-wing]] on the way to [[Dagobah/Legends|Dagobah]] is translated on the ship's dashboard readout). | However, in the way that Galactic Basic ''is'' English, Roman letters were seen in some in-universe inscriptions (such as the Jedi Code) or emblems, like that of the [[Jedi Order/Legends|Jedi Order]]. The text seen on [[Viewscreen/Legends|viewscreens]] in ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' is in Roman, rather than Aurebesh, due to the fact that Aurebesh had yet to be invented at the time in the real world. Aurebesh was introduced later, in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''The Empire Strikes Back'']] (when R2-D2's conversation with Luke Skywalker in the [[T-65 X-wing starfighter/Legends|X-wing]] on the way to [[Dagobah/Legends|Dagobah]] is translated on the ship's dashboard readout). | ||
Some instances show both Roman and Aurebesh alongside each other (such as the [[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|Corporate Sector Authority]] logo), showing that the two coexisted. Various starfighters (X-wing, [[BTL Y-wing starfighter/Legends|Y-wing]], [[RZ-1 A-wing interceptor/Legends|A-wing]], etc.) were named for characters from the Roman alphabet, as the shapes of these craft do not match the shapes of the corresponding letters in Aurebesh. Other craft were named after letters in the Aurebesh alphabet ([[Aurek-class tactical strikefighter|''Aurek''-class tactical strikefighter]]) or [[Tionese/Legends|Tionese]] (which corresponds to the real-world [[Wikipedia:Greek alphabet|Greek alphabet]] ) ([[Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends|''Lambda''-class T-4a shuttle]]). | Some instances show both Roman and Aurebesh alongside each other (such as the [[Corporate Sector Authority/Legends|Corporate Sector Authority]] logo), showing that the two coexisted. Various starfighters (X-wing, [[BTL Y-wing starfighter/Legends|Y-wing]], [[RZ-1 A-wing interceptor/Legends|A-wing]], etc.) were named for characters from the Roman alphabet, as the shapes of these craft do not match the shapes of the corresponding letters in Aurebesh. Other craft were named after letters in the Aurebesh alphabet ([[Aurek-class tactical strikefighter|''Aurek''-class tactical strikefighter]]) or [[Tionese/Legends|Tionese]] (which corresponds to the real-world [[Wikipedia:Greek alphabet|Greek alphabet]] ) ([[Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends|''Lambda''-class T-4a shuttle]]). | ||
Droids, too, are named with the alphabet, such as R2-D2 being called "Artoo-Detoo" rather than "Reshtoo Dorntoo," and C-3PO being See-Threepio and not Cresh-ThreePethOsk | Droids, too, are named with the alphabet, such as R2-D2 being called "Artoo-Detoo" rather than "Reshtoo Dorntoo," and C-3PO being See-Threepio and not Cresh-ThreePethOsk. | ||
The Tokyo Disneyland queue videos for both [[Star Tours/Legends|Star Tours]] and [[Star Tours: The Adventures Continue]] contain English writing using both Roman/High Galactic lettering and Aurebesh, along with Japanese writing. The Disneyland Paris version of the former ride used French writing and speech. | The Tokyo Disneyland queue videos for both [[Star Tours/Legends|Star Tours]] and [[Star Tours: The Adventures Continue]] contain English writing using both Roman/High Galactic lettering and Aurebesh, along with Japanese writing. The Disneyland Paris version of the former ride used French writing and speech. | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
{{Scroll_box|content= | {{Scroll_box|content= | ||
*{{DroidsCite|Tail of the Roon Comets}} | *{{DroidsCite|Tail of the Roon Comets}} | ||
*[[Droids (1986) 1|''Droids'' (1986) 1]] | *[[Droids (1986) 1|''Droids'' (1986) 1]] | ||
*[[Droids (1986) 4|''Droids'' (1986) 4]] | *[[Droids (1986) 4|''Droids'' (1986) 4]] | ||
*[[Droids (1986) 5|''Droids'' (1986) 5]] | *[[Droids (1986) 5|''Droids'' (1986) 5]] | ||
*{{Film|IV}} {{1st}} {{C|Pre-[[Star Wars Trilogy (DVD)|DVD version]] only}} | *{{Film|IV}} {{1st}} {{C|Pre-[[Star Wars Trilogy (DVD)|DVD version]] only}} | ||
*[[Droids (1986) 8|''Droids'' (1986) 8]] | *[[Droids (1986) 8|''Droids'' (1986) 8]] | ||
*''[[Tales from Mos Eisley: Light Duty]]'' | *''[[Tales from Mos Eisley: Light Duty]]'' | ||
*''[[Star Wars: X-Wing]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: X-Wing]]'' | ||
| Line 135: | Line 98: | ||
*''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]'' | ||
*''[[Princess Kneesaa's Birthday]]'' | *''[[Princess Kneesaa's Birthday]]'' | ||
*{{ | *{{Shortstory|story=The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays|book=Tales from Jabba's Palace}} | ||
*[[Star Tours (real-world)|''Star Tours'']] | *[[Star Tours (real-world)|''Star Tours'']] | ||
*[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 26|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 26]] | *[[X-Wing Rogue Squadron 26|''X-Wing Rogue Squadron'' 26]] | ||
*[[Dark Force Rising (comics)|''Dark Force Rising'' comic]] | *[[Dark Force Rising (comics)|''Dark Force Rising'' comic]] | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Union]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: Union]]'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 194: | Line 125: | ||
*''[[Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear]]'' | *''[[Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear]]'' | ||
*''[[The Far Orbit Project]]'' | *''[[The Far Orbit Project]]'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Notes and references== | ==Notes and references== | ||
{{Scroll_box|content={{Reflist}}}} | {{Scroll_box|content={{Reflist}}}} | ||
[[Category:Alphabets]] | [[Category:Alphabets]] | ||
[[Category:Writing systems]] | [[Category:Writing systems]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:21, 11 February 2023
The High Galactic alphabet was a form of writing in the galaxy. While not as common as Aurebesh, this alphabet was frequently used in signatures and by nobles,[1] and was often associated with snobbery.[2] It was most commonly used to write Galactic Basic Standard. High Galactic letters came in two forms: a printscript, in which all letters were separate glyphs; and a handwritten, cursive form, in which the strokes of successive characters were joined and the angles rounded.[3] While the High Galactic alphabet normally distinguished between the letters that were in larger uppercase and smaller lowercase,[4] many logos were written entirely in capital letters.[5][6]
Origins and history
The alphabet originated as part of the High Galactic language, which was spoken by the colonists of Alsakan prior to 17,000 BBY, and originated during the war between the Galactic Republic and the Tion Cluster. The alphabet entered widespread galactic use in approximately 17,000 BBY, during the Alsakan Conflicts. The Alsakanese borrowed characters from Tionese language and introduced others of their own invention, creating a writing system with no ties to the Aurebesh or related scripts.[1]
Millennia later, the alphabet continued to see fairly widespread use. By circa 22 BBY, Republic Census figures showed that the High Galactic alphabet was used by nearly one third of Galactic Basic speakers when writing, and by over half of upper-class Basic speakers. As a result, Aurebesh and the High Galactic alphabet were often presented side by side.[1] Nearly all Basic advertising was presented in the High Galactic alphabet, as were corporate logos that incorporated written language, such as those of Industrial Automaton, the Corellian Engineering Corporation, and Sienar Fleet Systems.[1]
The High Galactic alphabet was also used for naming many starship models (such as the T-65 X-wing starfighter) and droid models (such as the R2 series of astromech droids).[1]
Texts written in this alphabet
Although this alphabet was less common than Aurebesh, there is indication that whole (although few) texts were written in it. Following are several examples:
- Aro logo[8]
- Bureau of Ships and Services logo[5]
- COMPNOR logo[6]
- Corellian Security Force (CorSec) hovercraft
- CSA logo[9]
- Declaration of a New Republic[10]
- Jedi Code[11]
- R-Duba police hovercraft[12]
- Sienar Fleet Systems logo[13]
- Technical Specifications: Spacecraft of the Imperium and the Rebel Alliance[14]
Signatures
Many Humans—and some non-Humans—used this alphabet in their signatures, instead of the more common Aurebesh, perhaps by tradition. Those individuals included:
- Bront Autin[6]
- Shepprd Barron[15]
- Garm Bel Iblis[16]
- Doman Beruss[16]
- Mal Biron[17]
- Darth Sidious[18]
The signature of Leia Organa Solo, written in a cursive form of this alphabet - Arhul Hextrophon[19]
- Obi-Wan Kenobi[18]
- Rejlii Mithel[20]
- Mon Mothma[16]
- Ral'Rai Muvunc[21]
- Voren Na'al[9]
- Leia Organa Solo[16]
- Mirash Peet[21]
- Lesan Ramier[22]
- Obo Rin[23]
- Anakin Skywalker[18]
- Luke Skywalker[18]
- Roark Slader[24]
- Yoda[18]
Droid names examples
Droid names often derived from letters in this alphabet:
Other examples
- The Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Gnisnal had corridors named Q and R.[25]
- C-beams
Behind the scenes
The High Galactic alphabet is identical to the real-world English alphabet, the alphabet of the English language, which itself is essentially identical to the in-universe language Galactic Basic Standard. This alphabet is derived from, and sometimes referred to, as the Latin or Roman alphabet, the most common alphabet family of Western nations.
This article describes the occurrences of the English alphabet in the Star Wars universe. Although canon and Legends have both established the fictitious writing system of Aurebesh, it is somewhat unsurprising that this alphabet, especially its American English variant, appears in the Star Wars universe, as the Star Wars movies and most Expanded Universe materials are of American origin.
Canonicity
- "Well, actually, they do use the Roman alphabet in the Star Wars universe."
- ―Pablo Hidalgo
The Latin alphabet has appeared in several instances of the original trilogy and the Expanded Universe, but its appearance was unexplained before it was dubbed the "High Galactic alphabet" in the Hyperspace-exclusive article The Written Word.[1] Roman labels in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope were edited into Aurebesh in the 2004 DVD release, suggesting that George Lucas believed that real-world Roman letters don't belong in the Star Wars universe.
However, in the way that Galactic Basic is English, Roman letters were seen in some in-universe inscriptions (such as the Jedi Code) or emblems, like that of the Jedi Order. The text seen on viewscreens in The Star Wars Holiday Special is in Roman, rather than Aurebesh, due to the fact that Aurebesh had yet to be invented at the time in the real world. Aurebesh was introduced later, in The Empire Strikes Back (when R2-D2's conversation with Luke Skywalker in the X-wing on the way to Dagobah is translated on the ship's dashboard readout).
Some instances show both Roman and Aurebesh alongside each other (such as the Corporate Sector Authority logo), showing that the two coexisted. Various starfighters (X-wing, Y-wing, A-wing, etc.) were named for characters from the Roman alphabet, as the shapes of these craft do not match the shapes of the corresponding letters in Aurebesh. Other craft were named after letters in the Aurebesh alphabet (Aurek-class tactical strikefighter) or Tionese (which corresponds to the real-world Greek alphabet ) (Lambda-class T-4a shuttle).
Droids, too, are named with the alphabet, such as R2-D2 being called "Artoo-Detoo" rather than "Reshtoo Dorntoo," and C-3PO being See-Threepio and not Cresh-ThreePethOsk.
The Tokyo Disneyland queue videos for both Star Tours and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue contain English writing using both Roman/High Galactic lettering and Aurebesh, along with Japanese writing. The Disneyland Paris version of the former ride used French writing and speech.
