Shyriiwook
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Shyriiwook is the native language of the fictional Wookiee race of hairy bipeds in the Star Wars universe. The language consists of animalistic roars and growls. Although it can be understood by members of other species, it is extremely difficult for most non-wookies to speak; presumably the word Shyriiwook itself, as well as other Wookiee words or names, are transliterations of the original Wookiee sounds into a form more easily pronounced by others. In one of the Star Wars novels, Leia Organa-Solo encounters a Wookiee with a speech impediment which conveniently renders his Shyriiwook pronunciation much easier to understand by Leia, who was learning the language at the time. No tongue or lip movement is required to speak Shyriiwook; the jaw is typically locked open, with sound eminating from the throat and back of the mouth.
Another Wookiee language, Xaczik, is indigenous to Wartaki Island on Kashyyyk and several outlying coastal regions. While Shyriiwook remained the common language of Wookiee trade and travel, the much rarer Xaczik language became the secret language of the Wookiee underground when Imperial forces took over their planet.
Examples
- Wyaaaaaa. Ruh ruh. ("Hello. How are you?")
- Huwaa muaa mumwa. ("Can I buy you a drink?")
- Wua ga ma uma ahuma ooma. ("I think my arm has been pulled out of the socket.")
- Youw. ("Goodbye.")
- Kabukk ("Ancestor", "councilor", or "guide"; a common suffix to many Wookiee names.)
References
- Ben Burtt, Star Wars: Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, ISBN 0345440749.
- A.C. Crispin, Rebel Dawn, Book Three of the Han Solo Trilogy, ISBN 0553574175.