Show Notes
This episode of Star Warsologies we delve into classical studies - languages, archeology, and epigraphy, which is study of ancient inscriptions!
Giraffe joins us to talk about her early introduction to languages with Stargate and The Mummy. She explains the difference between scripts and languages. She also answers important questions like: Does Yoda talk that way just to be different? and Why does anyone hang out with C-3PO? We also get into the inevitable discussion of AI's role in translating and understanding ancient languages and scripts, as well as how the Empire removing people from their individual cultures comes straight from the colonizer's playbook.
Show Notes:
Check out Giraffe on the Star Trek podcast Strange New pod, which is live every Thursday at 6:30pm Pacific time! And find her on Instagram and BlueSky!
We mentioned some relevant past episodes during this discussion: check out our languages episode with David Peterson, who created languages for Game of Thrones, Marvel movies, and more, and our anti-fascism episode with historian and author Chris Kempshall.
You can order James's crossword puzzle book now! For a free puzzle, download the activity kit from Star Wars Reads!
Subscribe to Star Warsologies on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Did you miss an earlier episode? Catch up here!
Follow us on BlueSky and Instagram or join our Facebook fan group!
Star Warsologies is a podcast about science and other fields in a galaxy far, far away. Hosts James Floyd and Melissa Miller combine their love of storytelling in the franchise with their keen interest in all things academic.
More from Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we chat with Maria Sandoval, head of the hair department on The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka!
Watch this episode on YouTube to see all the slides from the panel - screenshots, science concepts and more! https://youtu.be/rW-WBS_uWM0 Panel description: Tom Cruise's diverse filmography is a perfect way to talk about science! What part of his impossible missions are actually realistic? What does real-life physics and human anatomy have to say about all those stunts? We'll also cover aliens, cloning, time loops, and even vampires and mummies! Lisa Will (astrophysicist and astronomer), Gracie Ermi (computer and machine learning scientist), Elizabeth Rega (anatomy professor and science advisor), Ronald Coleman (stem cell biologist and author), Laine D'Augustine (aerospace engineer and pilot), and Paul Wynns (retired naval aviator and flight school owner) are eager to explore what we can learn while eating our popcorn and being entertained by one of the biggest movie stars. Moderated by science communicator Melissa T. Miller. Sound recording and editing by Isabella Miller.
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share our panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2026 "Star Wars Tourism: Visiting a Galaxy Far, Far Away on Earth!"
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we talk to Deana Weibel about her book "The Ultraview Effect" and how to recognize the sense of awe in a galaxy far, far away (as well as our own!).
In this episode of Star Warsologies, we share the recording of Melissa's WonderCon 2026 panel "Science of Disneyland!"