Language Barriers

Language is an interesting theme that is often explored in books.  Communication is such a key component to relationships and can facilitate empathy and interaction.  I remember the Star Trek: The Next generation episode of “Darmok” being played in language classes to demonstrate the need for translation.  Recently, I started reading The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie which touches on this topic and it made me think of different works I’ve enjoyed that use language as a key literary element.  Here are some that I found interesting and engaging.

Embassytown by China Miéville

This book features a similar theme to “Darmok” with an alien species that has a unique language that makes translation difficult.  When cultures and species clash, things turn deadly and frightening for both the native species and the human colonists.  I loved the way the language was used as a framework for the culture and how it can lead to paradigm shifts.

Arrival [DVD] directed by Denis Villeneuve

This movie is based on the novella, “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang.  I debated which I would include on the list, but I haven’t read the novella so I thought I would talk about the work I have seen.  Arrival was a great film that stayed true to its science fiction roots.  While there is some tension and conflict met with violence, ultimately it was more of a concept film that remained accessible to the masses.  The directing and acting are superb and gives me hope that more science fiction will be adapted in a true fashion.

Lexicon by Max Barry

The premise of this book is a bit strange.  Basically people have archetypes and if you are familiar with these psychological profiles, you can control anyone with the right combination of words and sounds. This book follows the secret organization that leverages that power and what happens when one breaks rank.  I enjoyed the concept of using language as a weapon and the literal effect it can have in this book.

The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

Imagine what would happen if language and communication became increasingly reliant on technology and social media.  What if it became susceptible to the same exploits and hacks as your phone?  What if people began to lose the ability to communicate?  This novel explores those concepts in this fast pace thriller that kind of gave me the Dan Brown vibes.

Netherspace trilogy by Andrew Lane and Nigel Foster

I’ve only read the first novel in this trilogy, Netherspace, but I enjoyed the overarching concept that aliens may simply be so foreign that communication is impossible.  With almost all the other works in this list, everyone ultimately finds a method for communicating, but it is not so clear in this series. Also, these aliens are super weird and not idealized like in other books, so I appreciate that as well.

Ann Leckie books

Language is something that Ann Leckie likes to explore.  As I mentioned earlier, The Raven Tower is the most recent Leckie book that made me consider this subject as a whole.  However, upon reflection, the use of language is important to her award winning Imperial Radch universe, the first of which is Ancillary Justice. In the latter, aliens resort to breeding translators to overcome the language barrier.  The Raven Tower uses the barrier between mortals and gods a key story element. Leckie’s writing is compelling and simultaneously high concept and accessible.

The Assassin (2015)

This movie was a waste of 100 minutes that I will never get back.  Watch the trailer:

That is all you need to know because that had all the fight scenes and pretty much the entirety of dialogue.  In fact, after having watched this trailer after the movie, I feel it is even more informative about the plot than the actual movie.  I still have no idea what the film was really about and it had no real conclusion.  As I said to my partner:

You know, I didn’t understand Mulholland Drive but at least I had a feeling it had a plot.  I am convinced this movie didn’t even have a plot to try and understand.

I don’t care what kind of awards it won, this movie is a definite lemon.

Watch-A-Likes: Any video of landscape.