Babel-17

During an interstellar war between Alliance and Invader, the Invader side developed what Alliance thought was a code, but was actually a language called Babel-17. When Babel-17 is revealed to be a language not a code the debate that language falls under art and not science is explored. While a code can be deciphered a language has to be understood. Voices and context become important. While trying to understand the structure of Babel-17 Rydra Wong explains how the language scares her leading to the idea that words can be dangerous.

The novel primarily focuses on the mysterious language Babel-17. Babel-17 is a language that doesn’t have the words you, I or mine. The novel explores the concept of how languages affect the way people think and act. And how language can be as deadly as any weapon depending on the wielder. This concept is explored more when it is reviled that by learning to speak and think in Babel-17 the interpreter’s mind gets a reset and loses all previous free will and imposes self-destructive behavior. The book also delves into the concept of how language shapes how we view and react to the world. For instance with Babel-17 each word is layered with meaning that allows the speaker to think so quickly that their perception of time slows down. This allows Delany to describe action sequences in great detail without straining. It also explains why Babel-17 speakers continue to attack the Alliance for the speakers may perceive the word alliance as a hostile force that must be destroyed. The novel’s concept about a language being the main source of the chaos really makes you think about how we communicate with one another and explores how deeply words can affect us.