I am looking for the name of a science fiction novel based on this rough synopsis?
I remember reading a summary of a science fiction novel once and thinking that it would be very interesting to read, but I never found it afterward.
I roughly recall that it was about some captain trying to find out more about this alien language which is used to control people. The problem is as she delves more and more into it, she comes under its control and may become a traitor in the process. What is the name of this novel? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
- redkimerns
May 26th, 2009 at 12:25 am
It sounds like “Babel-17″ by Samuel R. Delany.
“During an interstellar war one side develops a language, Babel 17, that can be used as a weapon. Learning it turns one into an unwilling traitor as it alters perception and thought. The change is made more dangerous by the language’s seductive enhancement of other abilities. This is discovered by the beautiful starship captain, linguist, poet, and telepath Rydra Wong. She is recruited by her government to discover how the enemy are infiltrating and sabotaging strategic sites. Initially Babel-17 is thought to be a code used by enemy agents. Rydra Wong realises it is a language, and finds herself becoming a traitor as she learns it. . . .”