Author's Notes: Fixed due to new information.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. However, I do own this language.
In my travels through the Mercan Federation, I have occasionally found myself unable to understand the beings I encounter without a translator. Consequently, I have endeavored to create a full translation guide. In the meantime, I have pooled all of my current knowledge on the subject.
This language, while typically referred to as Mercan, is in reality named Shinuloc, and is far older than any other tongue currently spoken in our time. In fact, I have reason to believe that its use dates back to 4,999,999,965 BrS*, when the majority of star systems in the Galaxy were still forming.
The sheer age of the language, however, renders it unlikely that it has remained the same as it was at its creation. Unlike most tongues, which only add words when needed, Shinuloc is expanded at every possible opportunity, and has actually experienced the addition of several new forms of grammar. This has resulted in its ability to be inserted into the everyday speech of numerous beings, regardless of their native tongue. It has often been heralded as the most adaptable language in the Galaxy.
Its incredible adaptivity can be attributed to its mysterious creators, the Mercanus and the Ancients. Others in the galactic community usually regard these two long-lived near-human species as near-immortal beings that have a keen interest in the affairs of younger species. When I asked a Mercanus about this, he simply laughed and asked if the average human also believed that the Celestials were 150-meter tall acklays. Stunned by his response, I decided not to press the issue.
In truth, the Mercanus and Ancients have altered their culture extensively since leaving their homeworld, to the point that it is almost indistinguishable from that of a drifter. This is especially apparent in their embracement of the term 'near-human'. In fact, at one point, many scientists dealing in scientific names (of which Shinuloc is a typical contributor) added them to the list of human subspecies**.
Looking back at the language itself, one will note that it contains many redundant words. For example, the word typically used for dragon is kudak, but they are also referred to as delan maelod (hammer wolf). The reason for this is unknown, but it is not the only oddity of the language. While it is common for a language to combine two or more words to form a new one, they usually follow consistent rules in doing so. In addition to simply putting the words beside each other, however, Shinuloc will sometimes strip syllables from the words before combining them (ex., kudaz, from kudak and kadaz). The oddest feature of the tongue, however, is the fact that there are no words longer than five syllables.
Despite appearances, Shinuloc is rather easy to learn, as one needs to know little more than the most commonly used words. It is often said, in fact, that one does not need to take language courses to learn Shinuloc, they 'simply gotta stay in Mercan space a year or two.' This may be due to the fact that the grammar is the same as in Basic, though it does have multiple grammar forms, typically used in outlying areas of the Federation. Shinuloc has, of course, sired several tongues throughout the Galaxy, but those are other books in the making. Perhaps I will be the one to write those books! Until my guide is complete, Mack Zedon.
Tell me what you think. If it confuses you, too bad! It's an alien language, after all. It isn't finished yet, either. So, pointers are appreciated. And yes, Mack might show up again.
*Short for Before ReSynchonization, referring to the Great ReSynchonization, which took place 35 years before the Battle of Yavin.
**It is now known that both species are more closely related to the Felino.