Native Tongue is the first instalment of the science-fiction, feminist trilogy of the same name. Written by experimental linguist Suzette Haden Elgin and published by DAW Books in 1984, the novel can be found in most commercial and online bookstores retailing at £9.99.

Set in the 23^rd century, Native Tongue explores a futuristic, dystopian society in which the 19^th Amendment has been repealed, rendering woman legally children. As an act of resistance, a group of female linguists create the women language, Láadan, designed to express human, female perceptions.The novel sought to explore concerns regarding female subjectivity and autonomy at the time and, most importantly, was a thought-experiment intended to test four (paraphrased) hypotheses:

1. Human languages structure human perceptions significantly.
2. There are changes you couldn’t introduce to languages and languages you couldn’t introduce to culture without destroying them.
3. Change in language brings change in society.
4. If women were offered a language, they would either embrace or replace it.

For this, Elgin actually constructed Láadan and tested its effects over the following 10 years. Whilst Elgin has openly admitted that the results gathered hinged on the success of the fourth hypothesis which failed, the effort of it all was worth it – and I am inclined to agree. Despite it being published 40 years ago, the novel is still just a relevant – if not more so and in more ways – than it was in 1984. Whilst Elgin was unable to prove the first three hypotheses, the novel draws attention to how male perceptions dominate language and influences societal understanding of gender as a whole. At its heart, the novel expresses a desire to expand upon language in a way that encompasses female experience and perceptions, consequently liberating society from patriarchal constraints of language.

The story follows the life of the gifted Nazareth Chornyak, who belongs to a family of international, intergalactic translators referred to as ‘Linguists’.  The novel opens on two controversial points – the scrapping of the 19^th amendment and the congregation of male Linguists discussing whether the protagonist deserves reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy and hysterectomy. Naturally, the men refuse the request on grounds of risking sentimentality towards their “overindulged” women. This discussion defines the condescending attitude which, after forced marriage and birthing nine children, leaves Nazareth longing for the Barren House – a place where unfruitful women retire to die and the unlikely source of resistance against patriarchal society.  

For its strengths, the novel is well-written and, with its use of 1940s slang, is imbued with a nostalgic, transatlantic feeling making it perfect for fans of retrofuturism. The characters are highly entertaining, and Elgin provides insight into the world through the variety of perspectives she supplies. Furthermore, the novel has some incredible relevance to modern day – with millionaires and billionaires attempting to expand into space, the problematic technological advancement of society and sexism justified through misogynistic evolutionary psychology, Elgin’s fictional predictions aren’t terribly far off. It’s a great example of how dystopian and speculative fiction can be used as an avenue to solve problems within society.

As for its weaknesses, the novel is very of it time. Whilst I personally felt that the book had (very, very nebulous) sapphic elements in one section, there is a distinct lack of intersectionality and diversity and the narrative is limited in its imagining. In this way, the novel feels more like a work of white, exclusionary feminism, which means that much of its potential is unexplored. It’s also worth noting that Elgin’s portrayal of men is uncompromising, unforgiving, and exaggeratedly misogynistic. Additionally, some elements of the plot are hard to stomach and, when paired with its arguably unreasonable male representation, might dissuade some from persevering through the book.

To conclude, Native Tongue is oddly nostalgic and enchanting and it’s refreshing to see a take on science-fiction where the revolutionaries are barren old ladies hiding resistance in recipes and knitting baskets. Whilst it has its limitations, Elgin creates much room for thought on the power of language and, whilst the fourth hypothesis failed, Láadan has some genuinely useful terms we might benefit from adopting. A must-read for lovers of retrofuturism, feminine rage and dystopian novels.

Featured images belong to SF Masterworks (right) and DAW Books (left).