The different spelling of names in the Star Wars universe

Author: msycamore
Date: 3-Aug-2010, 5:19 PM

Author: msycamore
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:19 PM (Edited)
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I'm doing DVD subtitles for the Star Wars films and I'm wondering if the correct spelling is Star Destroyer or Stardestroyer? if there really is any correct spelling of it, as even Lucasfilm spell it differently everytime I see it, the same goes for Sand People or Sandpeople? Any thougths about this or more examples of words that is spelled in more than one way in the Star Wars universe.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: TV's Frink
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:25 PM
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I don't ever recall seeing "Stardestroyer."

Author: msycamore
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:32 PM
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I've seen it spelled like that on some vintage toys and that's also the spelling in the end credits of the original Return of the Jedi, I think it is like that in Empire also.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: Sluggo
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:33 PM
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Wouldn't it just be 'star destroyer'?

We don't go around calling ships 'Battle Ships' and 'Submarines' and 'Schooners'.

You wouldn't say "The F-14 Tomcat landed on the deck of the Aircraft Carrier." Why would a space ship be any different?

Author: TV's Frink
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:39 PM
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Sluggo said:

You wouldn't say "The F-14 Tomcat landed on the deck of the Aircraft Carrier." Why would a space ship be any different?

Oh, I know someone who would say that...

Author: msycamore
Time: 3-Aug-2010 5:39 PM (Edited)
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Don't ask me, Lucasfilm does it occasionally. The official DVD subtitles also spell it Stardestroyer. A minor thing, Luke's Gunner, Dack in Empire is spelled Dak in the subs and end credits, but I've seen his name spelled Dack sometimes.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: none
Time: 3-Aug-2010 7:50 PM
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Seems like Stardestroyer was the original spelling and once it hit the marketing side it got changed to Star Destroyer.

http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48214

Author: zombie84
Time: 3-Aug-2010 7:56 PM (Edited)
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The above seems correct.

The reason is probably simple: in text documents like scripts, storyboards and other office materials, you can spell it as one long word the way it was meant (stardestroyer) but when designing text layout for maketing it is better to break it into two smaller segments. Stardestroyer wouldn't fit on that toy box with the layout they have there.

Random, unsearched theory of mine that I just made up right now. :p

Author: none
Time: 3-Aug-2010 8:39 PM (Edited)
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This might just be an artist by artist thing, if you go to Rinzler's Making of SW book pg 272, there's storyboards from the opening sequence with 'Star Destroyer'.

Yet here's an Empire storyboard with "Stardestroyer" :

Accidental 'S' - "Death Stars"

Author: msycamore
Time: 3-Aug-2010 8:40 PM (Edited)
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Well, "Stardestroyer" seems correct then. Edit: or maybe not. ;) Nice storyboards btw.

Here's the same spelling again, in the end credits of Return of the Jedi.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: none
Time: 3-Aug-2010 8:54 PM (Edited)
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Lasersword or Laser Sword or Lightsaber?

Even by RotJ they hadn't figured it out. Never seen "Pit of Death" before.

Author: msycamore
Time: 3-Aug-2010 9:08 PM
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Interesting, those storyboards are very cool. I think I also have seen Lazersword or Lazer Sword and what about Lightsaber and Lightsabre? ;)

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: Bingowings
Time: 3-Aug-2010 11:11 PM
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Don't forget the classic :

HANS?

I've seen it on loads of officially released material.

Author: Darth Mallwalker
Time: 4-Aug-2010 12:38 PM
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'superstar destroyer' doesn't quite work

However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r

Author: none
Time: 4-Aug-2010 1:42 PM
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George Lucas was a Superstar Destroyer of Ahmed Best's career.

Author: Sluggo
Time: 4-Aug-2010 1:46 PM
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none said:

George Lucas was a Superstar Destroyer of Ahmed Best's career.

That, sir, is an lol.

Author: msycamore
Time: 4-Aug-2010 2:12 PM (Edited)
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Darth Mallwalker said:

'superstar destroyer' doesn't quite work

;) I think the "official spelling" now is, Super Star Destroyer. I actually think it should be Super Stardestroyer. I looked around and saw that wookieepedia says that the spelling Stardestroyer is wrong in the DVD subs, in my mind it's correct, it is just a destroyer like the real ones used in WWI & II but among the stars, not something that destroy stars. You don't type Sandcrawler Sand Crawler, Landspeeder Land Speeder and Starship Star Ship. Also the first time I saw Sandpeople spelled Sand People was around '97 on the soundtrack CD.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: Erikstormtrooper
Time: 4-Aug-2010 2:44 PM
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Bingowings, I love the Hans Solo. Where did you get that?

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

Author: Bingowings
Time: 4-Aug-2010 4:01 PM
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^Google image search...sorry no magic there it's a great image though.

Author: LexX
Time: 4-Aug-2010 4:46 PM
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Has Wookiee always been with two 'e's?

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

Author: Bingowings
Time: 4-Aug-2010 4:56 PM
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That's another one I've seen spelt in variety of ways on official materials.

Marvel Comics famously described the notorious gangster as Jabba The Hut.

Author: msycamore
Time: 4-Aug-2010 5:00 PM (Edited)
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Wookiee is spelled with only one e in the theatrical program from '77 but it could of course have been typed wrong, I know Jabba the Hutt was spelled with one t sometimes before Return of the Jedi though. Edit: seems I wasn't quick enough. ;)

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

Author: xhonzi
Time: 4-Aug-2010 5:14 PM
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msycamore said:

I'm doing DVD sutitles for the Star Wars films and I'm wondering if the correct spelling is Star Destroyer or Stardestroyer?

<snip>

Is 'sutitles' an alternative spelling for 'subtitle'? ;) (<- wink) (Wink and wink callout used for sarcasm.)

IT'S MY TRILOGY, AND I WANT IT NOW!

"[George Lucas] rebooted the franchise in 1997 without telling anyone." -skyjedi2005

"Yeah, well, George says a lot of things..." a young 1997 xhonzi on RASSM

"They're my movies." -George Lucas. 19 people won oscars for their work on Star Wars (1977) and George Lucas wasn't one of them.

Rewrite the Prequels!

Author: msycamore
Time: 4-Aug-2010 5:22 PM
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xhonzi said:

Is 'sutitles' an alternative spelling for 'subtitle'? ;)

Maybe, maybe not. I guess we'll never find out. ;)

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions.

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com