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This might belong in the Writer's workshop, but I'm not sure. In my creative writing class (and I'm hoping to get this published), I'm writing a Star Wars fan-fiction novella (in the class, we like to call this "thematic" fiction). Basically, I'm borrowing the world of Naboo, the city of Theed, the races, some technology but not much else. I'm not going into space. I'm not messing with the Empire. I'm being one of these literary fucks that's more concerned with her characters than anything.

But here's my dilemma that I'm wondering if some can help me with. Each race has a particular language. Duh. My problem is that when I write, I'm not going to write out the sounds in quotations of what the language sounds like. Instead, I try to describe it through narration.

So, if you can, can anyone describe what the following races' language sounds like if you were going to describe it in words and not imitate it?

Wookies (this is a must)
Rodians
Mon Calamari
Trandoshans (I can't even remember hearing these guys speak before)
Twi'leks (this isn't a necessity. I have more fun describing lekku movements)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Raine

CrimsonRaine wrote:This might belong in the Writer's workshop, but I'm not sure. In my creative writing class (and I'm hoping to get this published), I'm writing a Star Wars fan-fiction novella (in the class, we like to call this "thematic" fiction). Basically, I'm borrowing the world of Naboo, the city of Theed, the races, some technology but not much else. I'm not going into space. I'm not messing with the Empire. I'm being one of these literary fucks that's more concerned with her characters than anything.

But here's my dilemma that I'm wondering if some can help me with. Each race has a particular language. Duh. My problem is that when I write, I'm not going to write out the sounds in quotations of what the language sounds like. Instead, I try to describe it through narration.

So, if you can, can anyone describe what the following races' language sounds like if you were going to describe it in words and not imitate it?

Well anything for the beautiful Raine...

Okay, if you haven't already you should pick up KOTOR for the XBox and listen to it. They have most of the sounds of these languages already made out...but this may not be feasible so I will do what I can...

Wookies (this is a must)

They seem to use a combination of roars and growls, they used a bear for the voice of Chewbacca.

Rodians

Rodians actually speak Huttese from what I have gathered, they speak quickly with sort of sing-song voice.

Mon Calamari

No idea...but Ackbar could speak Basic (english) though his voice sounds a bit 'fishy'.

Trandoshans (I can't even remember hearing these guys speak before)

They have a Trandoshan speaking in KOTOR on the extra content, I can't recall exactly what it sounds like, but I wasn't a pleasant voice. A lot of hissing and they weren't speaking Basic.

Twi'leks (this isn't a necessity. I have more fun describing lekku movements)

They seem to be speaking Huttese in KOTOR, they sound quite a bit like humans, but with a different language.

Steven Snyder wrote:Okay, if you haven't already you should pick up KOTOR for the XBox and listen to it. They have most of the sounds of these languages already made out...but this may not be feasible so I will do what I can...

Oh, I have KOTOR for my computer, but I didn't know whether I should base it on that. But thank you for your advice. Now to put that in words to people who aren't familiar with the genre.

Raine

Wookies (this is a must)

grunts and/or roars

Rodians

huttese with non-Rodians

Mon Calamari

Basic with an accent (though a Qourren speaks huttese in Kotor)

Trandoshans (I can't even remember hearing these guys speak before)

a Trandoshan speaks in ESB

Twi'leks (this isn't a necessity. I have more fun describing lekku movements)

As far as I know they speak either huttese or basic with non-Twi'leks

CrimsonRaine wrote:Now to put that in words to people who aren't familiar with the genre.

Raine

I can't offer you anything there, aside from the obvious.

The ANH and ESB novelizations has a lot of examples of describing Wookie-speak. The RotJ one just converted it into onamatopia and put quotes around it, though, which I found annoying. They did the same for Artoo.

"HRRAAHRRR...!"

"I don't know why the Empire took Wookiee slaves."

"RAHR! YRRRAARH!"

"Well don't tear my arms outta their sockets! It wasn't my fault!"

"YERRARGH! HWRRRAAARRR!"

"Alright! Alright! I'll get you the Darth Vader punching bag!"

--see?