A sentient species lived on the primitive Outer Rim Territories planet Escalan. The species did not speak basic. Between around 8 BBY and 2 BBY, the smuggler Han Solo was dumped onto the world after he had been shot by the bounty hunter Greedo. Two younger members of the species then took him to Doctor Aber, who did her best to save his life despite not having the full knowledge she needed of human anatomy. A week later, Solo awoke and Aber called for Sy'Son to visit her. Sy'Son arrived with another individual, and the doctor led the two to Solo's body, and informed them he had spoken what she considered strange words, his name Han Solo.
Sometime later, Solo went for a drink but struggled to communicate with the bartender as he did not speak the species' language. He then went to acquire a starship so he could leave the planet to rescue his friend Chewbacca from being executed by the Benelex Marshal Service, but was unable to acquire one as the locals did not understand him. At this moment, a merchant who appeared to be able to speak basic informed Solo he had a ship. When they arrived at the ship, the merchant told Solo that his people helped out strangers as it was their way. As they left Escalan, Solo went to thank the merchant, but learned he did not actually speak basic. In response, Solo reluctantly pulled out his blaster and used it to take control of the merchant's ship, which he used to rescue Chewbacca, Maz Kanata, and Phaedra from Gulhadar. After they boarded the ship, Solo again thanked the merchant for being able to use his ship, and the merchant responded. Phaedra asked what he had said, and Solo stated that he had no idea.