To understand why R2-D2 does not speak Basic, we must appreciate that his primary function doesn't necessitate it. Instead, he communicates through beeps and boops, efficient for his role as a starship repair and navigational unit.
One aspect of R2-D2 that always mystified me was that he couldn't talk. C-3PO, his robot companion, could speak 6-million languages including excellent English with a hint of a British accent and all R2-D2 could muster were beeps and whistles.
The decision to take R2-D2's voice out of the equation was a genius call that helped make the character more memorable than through voiced dialogue. The beeps and whistles managed to convey emotions uniquely and endearingly. For example, when Artoo is annoyed, his beeps become louder and more frantic.
However, most droids, including R2-D2 and BB-8, "speak" a droid language through sequences of beeps and whistles. It is known as "Binary," and several humans in the Star Wars universe can understand it. Here are the handful of the humans who can and an explanation for why they're able to do so.
Not all droids are equipped with wireless communication equipment, because their purpose doesn't always require it, but all droids have auditory sensors - the ability to hear incoming land speeders cuts down on repair bills. So translating data into sound and back again is something they are all equipped to do.
But only a few of the human characters in Star Wars can understand droids; Luke Skywalker wasn't the only one. Obi-Wan Kenobi was another human who could speak Binary, as well as Anakin, who shared the strongest relationship with R2-D2, as seen in the prequel trilogy and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
R2-D2 (/ˌɑːr. tuːˈdiːtuː/) or Artoo-Detoo is a fictional robot character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical Star Wars films to date, including every movie in the original trilogy, prequel trilogy, and sequel trilogy.
This took him on a wild journey, from recording scuba gear to capture Darth Vader's breathing, to capturing the hum from a projection booth at a cinema to create the iconic lightsaber sound.
A reliable and versatile astromech droid, R2-D2 has served Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and Luke Skywalker in turn, showing great bravery in rescuing his masters and their friends from many perils.
One of the mysteries from the original trilogy that was fueled by the prequels is why R2-D2 never told Luke that Darth Vader was his father, as he actually knew Anakin Skywalker and witnessed his turn to the dark side.
It may just sound like beeps and boops to us, but the droid-speak heard in Star Wars actually has roots in human conversation. Or at least BB-8's does.
Later, BB-8 says something to R2 that starts to stir him awake. “BB-8 comes up and says something to him, which is basically, 'I've got this piece of a map, do you happen to have the rest? '” Abrams said.
A smart, spunky droid who would serve a multitude of masters over his lifetime, R2-D2 was never given a full memory wipe nor did he ever receive new programming, with these factors resulting in an adventurous and independent attitude.
secondly, in Legends, R2 was given programming that actually restricted him. from sharing any information with Luke or Leia. about their parents or relation to one another. this was all part of the plan. to conceal this information from the twins.
C-3PO was created by the famous droid builder Anakin Skywalker, who later became Darth Vader. C-3PO was designed to be a protocol droid, meaning that his primary function is to communicate with other beings and to translate between different languages.
As a test, Yoda deliberately acted looney and tried to get on Luke's nerves, rummaging through Luke's belongings and attacking R2-D2 with his walking stick.
After the Clone Wars, however, Brooks Propulsion Devices, the company responsible for the development of his boosters, was shut down, and his rocket boosters were eventually damaged and thus could not be repaired. Despite this, however, R2 hardly regretted the loss of his ability to fly.
R2-D2 was part of the repair crew for the Naboo Royal Starship. He technically is owned by Naboo's elected royalty until Padme took him along for her senator duties. By the Clone Wars, Padme gave him to Anakin as she felt a droid like R2 was far more useful to aid Anakin.
