The Force Awakens Should the aliens speak English?

[Dwarf Slayer]

In the original trilogy, I can't recall any aliens (except for Admiral Ackbar) speaking English. They all seem to have their unique language. In contrast, just about all of the aliens speak English in the prequel trilogy. Off the top of my head, I can only remember Sebulba and the Geonosians speaking in a foreign dialect. The other aliens (Gungans, Watto, Neimoidians, Dexter Jettster, Utapauns, etc) all spoke English.

Which do you prefer? I prefer them speaking in their own dialect, but the characters being able to understand them or using C3PO as a translator.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I think it would depend on the alien, really.

 

[Great Mind(s)]

This never bothered me as much in Star Wars as Star Trek (which has a scientific but kind of weird explanation) Since there's no real "English" language in Star Wars, we don't know what exactly that language is or where it comes from.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

This doesn't really bother me. Han Solo understood Greedo's language, as well as Chewy's. I like to think that some of them learn it over time.

 

[ThePhantasm]

I think all the characters from hence forth should communicate like R2 D2. He always gets the best lines anyways.

 

[Octoberist]

I don't know what it is, but when I see a certain non-humanoid looking alien speaking English in Star Wars, it comes off as hamfisted. Watto and Dexter come to mind.

It really depends. Ackbar worked pretty well; Jabba worked better that he didn't speak English along with Greedo and Chewie.

 

[chamber-music]

Watto bothered me as well for some reason I can't figure out. I didn't mind Chewy, Jabba, Greedo, ect.

 

[Octoberist]

Was it the stereotypical voice and demeanor of a slippery Jewish/Middle Eastern man?

Personally, Watto probably would've worked better if he just spoke in his native tongue.

Also, because of his design and use of CGI, I can't picture a character like Watto being on Tatooine or even in A New Hope for that matter.

 

[Solidus]

There were many good alien characters in TCW that spoke English and it was not hammy. I think of of course Ahsoka and Cad Bane pop right into my head, and there were many others. But to get that feel of the alien world, there should be lots of weird languages as well. As Octoberist said sometimes the design can make a difference

 

[Octoberist]

When the alien is humanoid, like Ahsoka, I don't mind at all.

 

[Solidus]

Ya, they did good with Cad as well, he was not as humanoid. But ya it has to be carefully done. If you go into exotic designs it would be best to keep them in an alien tongue. It adds to the fantasy as well and depth of the world.

 

[Gianakin_]

When the alien is humanoid, like Ahsoka, I don't mind at all.

Speciest.

 

[Octoberist]

Guilty as charged!

 

[Duke]

I actually want aliens to speak in their native tongue, except humanoids like Ashoka Tano, besides having aliens speak "English" would make translator droids redundant.

 

[Octoberist]

I think if the alien is TIED to the new republic directly, then it makes sense for the alien to speak English. For example, Ackbar was a general in the Rebel fleet. If he's gonna make a speech, he's not gonna do it in his native tongue.

Now if it's someone local, like Jabba, or of the underworld, sure, let them speak their alien speak.

 

[PalmerTheThing]

It's Star Wars, not Passion of the Christ.

We don't need subtitles for everything. We need to put somethings back in the reality bag when watching this film.

 

[Solidus]

It's Star Wars, not Passion of the Christ.

We don't need subtitles for everything. We need to put somethings back in the reality bag when watching this film.

Star Wars has always been known for having alien languages/droid langues among other things. You had Greedo and the like for subtitles, then you had R2/Chewie that you never has subtitles but learned what they said through the other characters......Star Wars has always had this kind of thing.

 

[PalmerTheThing]

Star Wars has always been known for having alien languages/droid langues among other things. You had Greedo and the like for subtitles, then you had R2/Chewie that you never has subtitles but learned what they said through the other characters......Star Wars has always had this kind of thing.

I think you missed my point Solidus.

I don't want the majority of the film in subtitles. Some aliens should be speaking english just for natural flow of the movie. Kids will see this, the prequels and OT have a perfect balance of that. I just don't want to be reading the screen for 45 min + in total.

And I highly doubt that will even be the case.

 

[Spider-Who?]

I actually want aliens to speak in their native tongue, except humanoids like Ashoka Tano, besides having aliens speak "English" would make translator droids redundant.

Why? In the real world, plenty of people are bilingual, yet translators still have jobs. Just because some people can speak other languages doesn't mean everyone can. Same would hold true for Star Wars characters.

Like someone else said, it should depend on the character. In the SW universe, English is called “Basic” – it’s the standard language by which most people communicate. Sure, everyone has their own language, but “Basic” is supposed to be the go-to language when dealing with different cultures/species. This of course is entirely dependent on that character/species’ views of/standing within society and more civilized systems (ie: it makes sense that Jabba doesn’t speak Basic because he’s a proud crime lord on a small outer rim planet who can afford translators).

All that being said, I personally prefer the “humans speak English but understand the alien language” method, but if an alien character speaks English, I’m fine with it…but for the love of all that is holy, I do NOT want them to have god-awful accents like the trade federation aliens from the PT. That was just painful.

 

[DA_Champion]

I assume that nobody is actually speaking English, it's just how the story is presented to us.

It does take place in a galaxy far, far away ...