The Language of Pao

"The Languages of Pao," by Jack Vance, is set in part on the planet Pao, a world populated by the descendants of human colonists. Pao's huge population is extremely docile by nature. Because the people's passivity makes them easy prey for conquest and exploitation, the planet's monarch seeks help from Lord Palafox, an official from the technologically advanced world of Breakness. Palafox's plan is to make the Paonese able to defend themselves in the following way: newly created languages will be used as tools to transform Pao's culture and mass psychology. The back cover of the book notes, "It's one of the extremely few science fiction novels ever based on the science of linguistics." The novel is an effective combination of an intriguing idea, solid plotting, and compelling characters. Vance's finely crafted prose is really a pleasure to read--it's sturdy yet elegant. Vance creates richly detailed portraits of the very different worlds of Breakness and Pao. He fills his story with thoughtful details which really breathe life into the pages. And while this is clearly a science fiction novel, at times Vance infuses it with a flavor of fantasy or fairy tale. This is both a novel of ideas and a novel of characters. The story of Pao raises intriguing questions about the relationships that link language, culture, political power, military power, and educational establishments. The book is not just a tale of massive sociolinguistic experimentation, but also a coming-of-age story and a story of political suspense. It also falls into the genre of military science fiction--in short, it's a rich and complex text. The big ideas of the book are anchored by well-drawn characters who inhabit a volatile web of interrelationships. Particularly poignant is Vance's portrait of one character, who finds himself caught between two very different cultures. "The Languages of Pao" is a noteworthy achievement by a master craftsman of science fiction.

Pao is a peaceful planet of eight continents and many islands. The Paonese are gentle, uncomplicated, non-competitive, folk whose only problem tends to be famine one on or another continent at times. Their rules is called the Panarch, named Aiello. Aiello's brother is Bustamonte, called the Ayudor, or second in command. Sitting at table, listening while his father received complaints from the citizens and tradesmen, was young Beren. During an argument with an agent from the Mercantil, the room goes dark and when light is restored Aiello is dead. Also attending the room is Palafox, a scientifically enhanced Dominie from the world Breakness. When it seems young Beren will be implicated in his father's murder, Palafox helps him escape, only to hold him hostage on Breakness. Bustamonte, in the meantime, becomes Panarch of Pao, but is soon blackmailed so heavily by the Mercantil that he turns to Breakness to solve his problem. The Breakness Dominine from their institutes decide help Bustamonte by breaking apart the very language of Pao, since Paonese hold social caste sacred. The Paonese language was split into three new languages, Valiant, Technicant, and Cogitant. The eager students sent from Pao to the Breakness institute even created their own mish-mash language called Pastiche. And Beren learns them all. Beren steals away from Breakness and Palafox's institute, to settle back on Pao as Ercole Paraio. But Palafox has never lost sight of the young boy he rescued so long ago, and is not finished with Beren yet. He has an alternate and selfish motivation for having saved the boy king so long ago. Does Beren have enough Paonese left in him to rule his people? Does he have enough Breakness in him to stop Palafox? You'll just have to read the rest. This is one of Vance's older and shorter novels, but it runs at breakneck speed with Vance's amazingly realistic worlds, strange people, unique heroes, and magnificent prose. Don't miss out on this one! Enjoy!

The "languages of poa"is a brilliant book. Jack Vance looks at the subtle methods of control achieved by conquerors who lacking manpower decide to pacify a world after the initial invasion by pacifying the language. It sounds so simple, but only becaue of the deft skill with which Jack Vance handles the complex threads. The story is simple but you are left with the impression that perhaps there should be a bit more concern shown by the general populace by the often blatant manipulations of the advertisers and the spin doctors of various corporations and politicians. Aside from that rather dark warning the "Lanuages of Pao" has all the trade-mark Jack Vance humour...Drollness at it's best.

I read an old "ACE" copy of this that I found in a thrift shop. This is not only based on linguistic science, the writing showcases the wide range and fluency of Vance's own lexicon and diction. In addition, the plot is strong, the characters well thought out, and the pace is rapid--typical of the older science fiction adventures.

I don't remember when I read it, about 15 years ago, I know that I've reread it a couple of times since, and it's still an important member of my "must have" SF library. "The Languages of Pao" is much more than a typical story about a man out to conquer and dominate a world. It is a very subtle story that demonstrates a theory of the intricate links between a society and the language it uses. How the society changes the languages, but also how language defines a society. This is Jack Vance at his best, subtle, insidious and unforseeable.