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{{shortcut|CWA}}
The '''Colonial Wireless Alphabet (CWA)'''<ref>{{bsgwiki term}}</ref> is a means of communicating letters via words, thus permitting clarity when communicating spellings over [[wireless]]. This is similar to the [[Wikipedia:NATO phonetic alphabet|NATO phonetic alphabet]] used for [[Wikipedia:radio|radio]] communications.


The '''Colonial Wireless Alphabet''' is a means of communicating letters via words, thus permitting clarity when communicating spellings over [[wireless]].  This is similar to the [[Wikipedia:NATO phonetic alphabet|NATO phonetic alphabet]] used for [[Wikipedia:radio|radio]] communications.
The following is a list of words used in the CWA. At present, only ten have been [[canon]]ically identified.


The following is a list of words used in the CWA.  Those words that are entered into the BSG canon are appropriately indicated via reference links to footnotes.  Those words unlikely are in ''italics'', with appropriate footnotes as to why their usage in the CWA is unlikely.
{| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" class="messagebox"
 
At present, only six out of twenty-six have been identified as [[canon]]ical to ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''.
 
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #461919; border: 1px #a63000 solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
|-
! Letter !!align=left| Word !!align=left| Pronunciation
! Letter !!align=left| Word !!align=left| Pronunciation
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:A|A]] || '''''Alfa''''' <br>'''Alpha''' {{ref|1}} ||'''AL''' FAH
|align=center|'''A'''||Alpha/Alfa <ref>In the NATO phonetic alphabet, "Alpha" is spelled "Alfa," in consideration of Spanish orthography.</ref> <ref name="bastille">'''Kara Thrace:''' Three assault teams, Alpha, Bravo, Constellation. {{TRS|Bastille Day}}</ref> <ref name="scattered">'''Lee Adama:''' Sierra Alpha, we got a new bogey. {{TRS|Scattered}}</ref> <ref name="rs2">'''William Adama:''' Order batteries alpha through echo to switch to salvo fire. {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}</ref> || {{IPA|ˈæl.fə}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:B|B]] ||'''Bravo''' {{ref|2}} ||'''BRAH''' VOH
|align=center|'''B'''||Bravo <ref name="bastille" /> <ref name="hog">'''Freighter Pilot #1:''' Carrier constellation, jump complete on station, point deacon. Initiate search pattern delta.<br>'''Freighter Pilot #2:''' Ore flight bravo, delta, wilco.<br>'''Freighter Pilot #3:''' Ore flight nebula, delta initiated. {{TRS|The Hand of God (RDM)}}</ref> || {{IPA|ˈbɹɑ.voʊ}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:C|C]] ||'''Constellation''' {{ref|3}}||''CON'' STELL '''EY''' SHUN
|align=center|'''C'''||Constellation <ref name="bastille" /> <ref name="hog" /> <ref name="mini">'''Galen Tyrol:''' If the commander will take a closer look at the tail numbering... Nebula Seven Two Four Two Constellation. {{TRS|Miniseries}}</ref> || {{IPA|ˌcɑn.stə.ˈleɪ.ʃən}}
|-  
|-  
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:D|D]] ||'''Delta''' {{ref|4}}||'''DELL''' TAH
|align=center|'''D'''||Delta <ref name="hog" /> || {{IPA|ˈdɛl.tə}}
|-  
|-  
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:E|E]] ||'''Echo''' ||'''ECK''' OH
|align=center|'''E'''||Echo <ref name="rs2" /> || {{IPA|ˈɛ.koʊ}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:F|F]] ||'''Foxtrot''' ||'''FOKS''' TROT
|align=center|'''G'''||Gamma <ref name="razor"> This is part of [[Kendra Shaw]]'s access code, which she gives to [[Gina Inviere]] {{TRS|Razor}}.</ref> || {{IPA|ˈgamə}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:G|G]] ||'''Golf''' ||'''GOLF'''
|align=center|'''N'''||Nebula <ref name="hog" /> <ref name="mini" /> || {{IPA|ˈnɛb.ju.lə}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:H|H]] ||'''Hotel''' ||HO '''TELL''' <br>HOH '''TELL'''
|align=center|'''S'''||Sierra <ref name="scattered" /> || {{IPA|si.ˈɛɹˌɹə}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:I|I]] ||'''''India''''' {{ref|5}} ||'''IN''' DEE AH
|align=center|'''T'''||Tango <ref name="finalcut">'''Grayshirt:''' Tango 1, Tango 1, Tango 1, weapons close 2-4-1 {{TRS|Final Cut}}</ref> || {{IPA|tăng'gō}}
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:J|J]] ||'''''Juliett''''' {{ref|6}}<br>'''''Juliet''''' ||'''JEW''' LEE ''ETT''
|align=center|'''X'''||X-ray <ref name="exodus">'''Saul Tigh:''' Cally's in a group heading for map coordinates X-ray Seven {{TRS|Exodus, Part I}}</ref> || {{IPA|ɛks.'ɹeɪ}}
|}
 
== Notes ==
 
*"[[Wikipedia:Voice procedure|Wilco]]" is not a CWA letter code. It means "will comply," matching its real usage.
*While the Colonial wireless alphabet borrows from the NATO phonetic alphabet, there are exceptions because they have Earth-specific references and are unlikely to be known to the Colonials. Examples: India and Quebec (Earth locations), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespearean characters), and Yankee and Zulu (regional and ethnic groups of Earth).
*The [[Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game|''Battlestar Galactica'' Role Playing Game]] includes a complete listing of the wireless alphabet, though the full list has not been verified as canon.  The additions supplied by the game are as follows (direct analogues to the NATO phonetic alphabet marked with an asterisk):
 
 
{| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" class="messagebox"
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:K|K]] ||'''Kilo''' ||'''KEE''' LOH
! Letter !!align=left| Word !!align=left|
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:L|L]] ||'''Lima''' ||'''LEE''' MAH
|align=center|'''F'''||Foxtrot*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:M|M]] ||'''Mike''' ||'''MIKE'''
|align=center|'''H'''||Hotel*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:N|N]] ||'''Nebula''' {{ref|7}} ||'''NEB''' YOO ''LAH''
|align=center|'''I'''||Icon
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:O|O]] ||'''Oscar''' ||'''OSS''' CAR
|align=center|'''J'''||Juno
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:P|P]] ||'''Papa''' ||PAH '''PAH'''<br>or '''PAH''' PAH
|align=center|'''K'''||Kilo*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:Q|Q]] ||'''''Quebec''''' {{ref|8}} ||KEH '''BECK'''
|align=center|'''L'''||Logo
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:R|R]] ||'''''Romeo''''' {{ref|6}}||'''ROW''' ME OH
|align=center|'''M'''||Meteor
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:S|S]] || '''Sierra''' {{ref|9}} ||SEE '''AIR''' RAH <br>SEE '''AIR''' AH
|align=center|'''O'''||Oscar*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:T|T]] ||'''Tango''' ||'''TANG''' GO
|align=center|'''P'''||Papa*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:U|U]] ||'''Uniform''' ||'''YOU''' NEE FORM <br>or '''OO''' NEE FORM <font size=-2>(ICAO, ITU)</font>
|align=center|'''Q'''||Quasar
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:V|V]] ||'''Victor''' ||'''VIK''' TER
|align=center|'''R'''||Rho
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:W|W]] ||'''Whiskey''' ||'''WISS''' KEY
|align=center|'''U'''||Uniform*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:X|X]] ||'''X-ray''' ||'''ECKS RAY''' <font size=-2>(ICAO, ITU)</font><br>'''ECKS''' RAY <font size=-2>(FAA)</font>
|align=center|'''V'''||Victor*
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:Y|Y]] ||'''''Yankee''''' {{ref|10}} ||'''YANG''' KEY
|align=center|'''W'''||Whiskey*
|-
|align=center|'''Y'''||Yellow
|-
|align=center|'''Z'''||Zephyr
|-
|-
|align=center| [[Wikipedia:Z|Z]] ||'''''Zulu''''' {{ref|11}} ||'''ZOO''' LOO
|}
|}


== Notes ==
== References ==
 
{{reflist}}
# {{note|1}} The phoentic letter "alpha" is used by [[Lee Adama]] after detecting the [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] on approach to ''[[Galactica]]'', in "[[Scattered]]".
#* It is likely that the word is spelled "alpha", which is the English spelling of the first letter in the [[Wikipedia:Greek alphabet|Greek alphabet]], given the Greek influence in the series.
#* For reasons why "alfa" is unlikely, see the [[Wikipedia:alfa|alfa]] disambiguation page on Wikipedia.
# {{note|2}} Bravo is used by the [[marine]] strikeforce that boarded the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' in "[[Bastille Day]]".
# {{note|3}} Constellation is used by CPO [[Galen Tyrol]], when reading off the registration number of [[William Adama]]'s old [[Viper|Mark II Viper]] in the [[Mini-Series]]. It is also used by a member of the [[marine]] strikeforce that boarded the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' in "[[Bastille Day]]". ("Constellation team, set.")
# {{note|4}} Delta is used in "[[The Hand of God]]".
# {{note|5}} India is unlikely as a phonetic spelling of "I", given that it is the [[Wikipedia:India|name of a country]] on [[Earth]].
# {{note|6}} Both Romeo and Juliette/Juliet can be discounted as being used by the Colonials, given that this is a reference to the [[Wikipedia:William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare]] play, ''[[Wikipedia:Romeo and Juliet|Romeo and Juliet]]''.
# {{note|7}} Nebula is used by [[Galen Tyrol]] when reading off the registration number of [[William Adama]]'s old [[Viper|Mark II Viper]] in the [[Mini-Series]].
# {{note|8}} The use of "Quebec" is very unlikely, given that it [[Wikipedia:Quebec|is a province]] in [[Wikipedia:Canada|Canada]], which is on [[Earth]].
# {{note|9}} Sierra is used by [[Lee Adama]] prior to engaging the [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] on approach to ''[[Galactica]]'', in "[[Scattered]]".
# {{note|10}} [[Wikipedia:Yankee|Yankee]] is a slang term used to (1) identify an [[Wikipedia:American|American]] from the [[Wikipedia:U.S. Northeast|northeast United States]], and (2) identify something American by citizens of countries outside the [[Wikipedia:United States of America|United States of America]].
# {{note|11}} Zulu is unlikely for the reasons listed on the [[Wikipedia:Zulu (disambiguation)|Zulu disambiguation page on Wikipedia]]. Zulu is also the name of an [[Wikipedia:Zulu|African tribe]].
 
=== Additional Notes ===
 
* The use of the word "wilco" is unlikely in the CWA.  It is similar to "roger", "over", et al. See both: [[Talk:Colonial Wireless Alphabet]] and [[Wikipedia:Voice procedure|voice procedure]].
* The term "Colonial Wireless Alphabet" and its acronym "CWA" are [[non-canonical]], used by this Wiki to identify the Colonial wireless phonetic alphabet.
 


[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Colonial]] [[Category: Colonial Military]] [[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Military]]
[[Category:Colonial Military (RDM)]]
[[Category:Descriptive terms]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Latest revision as of 22:22, 20 February 2024

The Colonial Wireless Alphabet (CWA)[1] is a means of communicating letters via words, thus permitting clarity when communicating spellings over wireless. This is similar to the NATO phonetic alphabet used for radio communications.

The following is a list of words used in the CWA. At present, only ten have been canonically identified.

Letter Word Pronunciation
A Alpha/Alfa [2] [3] [4] [5] [ˈæl.fə]
B Bravo [3] [6] [ˈbɹɑ.voʊ]
C Constellation [3] [6] [7] [ˌcɑn.stə.ˈleɪ.ʃən]
D Delta [6] [ˈdɛl.tə]
E Echo [5] [ˈɛ.koʊ]
G Gamma [8] [ˈgamə]
N Nebula [6] [7] [ˈnɛb.ju.lə]
S Sierra [4] [si.ˈɛɹˌɹə]
T Tango [9] [tăng'gō]
X X-ray [10] [ɛks.'ɹeɪ]

Notes

  • "Wilco" is not a CWA letter code. It means "will comply," matching its real usage.
  • While the Colonial wireless alphabet borrows from the NATO phonetic alphabet, there are exceptions because they have Earth-specific references and are unlikely to be known to the Colonials. Examples: India and Quebec (Earth locations), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespearean characters), and Yankee and Zulu (regional and ethnic groups of Earth).
  • The Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game includes a complete listing of the wireless alphabet, though the full list has not been verified as canon. The additions supplied by the game are as follows (direct analogues to the NATO phonetic alphabet marked with an asterisk):


Letter Word
F Foxtrot*
H Hotel*
I Icon
J Juno
K Kilo*
L Logo
M Meteor
O Oscar*
P Papa*
Q Quasar
R Rho
U Uniform*
V Victor*
W Whiskey*
Y Yellow
Z Zephyr

References

  1. ↑ This is a Battlestar Wiki descriptive term.
  2. ↑ In the NATO phonetic alphabet, "Alpha" is spelled "Alfa," in consideration of Spanish orthography.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kara Thrace: Three assault teams, Alpha, Bravo, Constellation. (TRS: "Bastille Day")
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lee Adama: Sierra Alpha, we got a new bogey. (TRS: "Scattered")
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 William Adama: Order batteries alpha through echo to switch to salvo fire. (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II")
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Freighter Pilot #1: Carrier constellation, jump complete on station, point deacon. Initiate search pattern delta.
    Freighter Pilot #2: Ore flight bravo, delta, wilco.
    Freighter Pilot #3: Ore flight nebula, delta initiated. (TRS: "The Hand of God")
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Galen Tyrol: If the commander will take a closer look at the tail numbering... Nebula Seven Two Four Two Constellation. (TRS: "Miniseries")
  8. ↑ This is part of Kendra Shaw's access code, which she gives to Gina Inviere (TRS: "Razor").
  9. ↑ Grayshirt: Tango 1, Tango 1, Tango 1, weapons close 2-4-1 (TRS: "Final Cut")
  10. ↑ Saul Tigh: Cally's in a group heading for map coordinates X-ray Seven (TRS: "Exodus, Part I")
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