Language in Star Wars

In honor of the release that is, I believe, in theaters even now -- and because I have neglected Language Log lately -- I direct you to Eric Bakovic's "Speak this way I do because wiser than I actually am I sound."

Overall, the members of the Rebellion speak in very casual American English, as do many of the foot soldiers in the Empire. But officers in the Empire tend to speak a more refined-sounding variety of (British) English. (Note that Princess Leia code-switches in Episode IV, A New Hope, depending on who she's talking to; otherwise, Obi-Wan Kenobi is apparently the only Brit on the good side.)

See also a slightly more arcane post by Geoffrey K. Pullum here.

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