Space Pirate (language)

The Space Pirate language is observed throughout the Metroid Prime series as a script frequently seen on Pirate monitors and walls (in orange or blue). It is possible that the writing may correspond to the vocalizations made by the Pirates, but this is unconfirmed. Samus Aran's Translator Module is capable of translating Space Pirate data logs.
==Vocals==
Such language can also be heard throughout Space Pirate encounters within the Prime series, though much of it appears as grunts or roars. At times, some words can be made out into possible English wording. An example of this would be during the battle with the Omega Pirate, where it can be heard speaking the phrase "Finish her!". Shadow Pirates may utter a phrase sounding like "Lucky shot" if Samus fires on them when they are hiding. Space Pirates in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption can sometimes be heard uttering what sounds like "Samus" during combat with their sworn enemy, among other phrases.
==Development notes==
Clark Wen created a partial spoken language for the Space Pirates in Metroid Prime. The first iteration was based on Russian, which Wen had studied in college. Wen took Russian phrases and reversed the syllables, creating a recognizable verb the Pirates would speak when they attacked Samus (based on the Russian word for "attack", атакаDidYouKnowGaming? "Metroid Prime Devs Share Secrets (EXCLUSIVE)". YouTube. April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022. (starts at 10:45)), and another for when they spotted her and alerted other Pirates. However, when tested in-game, Retro Studios staff felt that it sounded no different from ordinary Russian.
The second attempt was more guttural, with Wen using recorded sounds from a friend's pitbull. When played at a weekly Retro Studios meeting, the participants laughed at how comical they sounded, so Michael Mann urged Wen to change them. Finally, Wen decided to base the language on Yoruba, and had Akintunde Omitowoju, a programmer on Prime, record shouted Yoruba phrases, including the word for "attack" (kolu), that were edited into the vocalizations heard in the final version. The language was then refined further for Echoes and Corruption.Kiwi Talkz. "#112 - Clark Wen Interview (Metroid Prime, Sound Design, Kenji Yamamoto, Mixing, SFX, Game Audio )". YouTube. October 23, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2022. (starts at 13:11)
==Trivia==
*The word "Urtraghus" is stated in unused Corruption text to mean "large booty" in the language of Space Pirates. "Large booty" is the only known word in Space Pirate.
*It is interesting to note that although the Observatory is a Space Pirate facility, the names of the planets are in Chozo.
:*Chozo text appears on several other Space Pirate devices, most notably the mechanical structure within the Monitor Station and the door control switch in the Phendrana Drifts.
==Gallery==
Experiment 7526-0.png|Pirate language in Research Lab Aether from Metroid Prime.
2d-metroid-concepts-4.jpg|Pirate language in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
==References==
it:Linguaggio dei Pirati Spaziali
Category:Frigate Orpheon
Category:Phendrana Drifts
Category:Phazon Mines
Category:Pirate Homeworld
Category:Languages
Category:Space Pirates
Category:Pirate Lore