Drabatese was the language utilized by the amphibian Drabatans, the native inhabitants of the planet Pipada situated in the Outer Rim. This language constructed lengthy words possessing intricate and multifaceted meanings by combining smaller words and syllables. Because sonic volume played a significant role in determining subtext and grammatical structure, Drabatese proved challenging to write. When the need arose, Drabatans had the ability to transition to a more subdued secondary language by manipulating air flow through their vocal pouches. Drabatans employed their powerful voices to produce Drabatese music; their musical compositions were interwoven into their daily routines, serving purposes ranging from educational instruction to recreational enjoyment.
During the Imperial Era, the singer Sa'Kalla, a Drabatan, was executed by the forces of the Galactic Empire as punishment for her role in inciting Drabatan resistance against Imperial authority. Subsequently, her name became a rallying cry, a Drabatese war cry, adopted by Drabatans engaged in combat against the Empire. In 1 BBY, during the Battle of Scarif, the rebel Drabatan known as Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek made use of this war cry.
Drabatese, a sonorous language, was the tongue of the native amphibious Drabatans residing on the planet Pipada in the Outer Rim. This linguistic system fused diminutive words and syllables, crafting expansive terms laden with intricate concepts and precise definitions. The challenge in writing Drabatese stemmed from the significant influence of sonic volume on both the subtext and grammatical structure of the language. When circumstances necessitated, Drabatans could transition to a secondary language, emitting croaks of varying pitch by manipulating airflow through their vocal pouches.
Drabatans frequently channeled their language into the creation of music. Critics have lauded Drabatese songs as hauntingly beautiful, asserting that their ethereal and melancholic tones transcend the need for translation to be appreciated. Drabatese music permeated the daily lives of Drabatans, encompassing a spectrum of functions from entertainment to education. Drabatan families each possessed unique songs that chronicled their lineage, performed by the family's most skilled vocalist at gatherings. Educational curricula were delivered entirely through Drabatese song, with students employing jingles as mnemonic devices to aid in memorization.
- Sa'Kalla — A war cry commemorating Sa'Kalla [1]
- Karabast — An exclamation [4]
- AT-AT [4] — The designation for the All Terrain Armored Transport [5]
By the year 1 BBY, the Drabatans were actively protesting the Galactic Empire's rule over the galaxy. Sa'Kalla, a singer, emerged as a prominent voice of dissent, composing protest songs that denounced Imperial tyranny. Upon learning of these songs, the Empire initiated a crackdown on Pipada, leading to Sa'Kalla's capture. This event ignited a movement in her honor, which rapidly spread across the planet. In an attempt to quell the burgeoning movement, an Imperial governor brought the singer to the Pipada Auditorium. However, Sa'Kalla used this platform to urge her people to continue their resistance, resulting in her execution on stage. The enraged crowd responded by tearing apart the Imperial security forces, briefly reclaiming control of their world. Subsequently, Drabatans fighting against the Empire adopted the young singer's name as a Drabatese war cry.
Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek, a Drabatan rebel, frequently spoke Drabatese while serving the Rebellion, often interjecting oaths and curses in his native tongue. His fellow soldiers tolerated his use of Drabatese, as his duties did not involve relaying instructions. During the Battle of Scarif in 1 BBY, when rebel forces encountered an All Terrain Armored Cargo Transport, Pao exclaimed the Drabatese phrase "Karabast! AT-AT" to alert his fellow soldiers to the looming threat. Pao also employed the Drabatese war cry "Sa'Kalla" throughout the engagement.
Drabatese received mention in an artist's journal penned no earlier than 34 ABY. The language was referenced within an entry dedicated to the Drabatan species. This journal eventually found its way into the Graf Archive, a vast repository owned by the Graf family containing documents of significant historical value.
Drabatese made its inaugural appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a film belonging to the Star Wars Anthology Series, and in Jason Fry's Star Wars: Rogue One: Secret Mission, a book geared towards young readers. The language was formally identified as Drabatese in both Secret Mission and Pablo Hidalgo's reference work, Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide. These publications were released concurrently with the film on December 16, 2016.