In this 1958 novel, when Pao is unable to repel a military invasion, an adviser from the technocrat Breakness planet advises setting up restricted areas for military, mercantile, and technician castes, each with their own language. Of course, the members of these castes will need specialist training from Breakness advisers.

The book could have done with more examples of the different languages showing how they work rather than abstract explanations. On the other hand, where one planet consists of undifferentiated masses of people and the other consists of extreme individualists who barely interact, it is difficult to care much about the characters, so it was a quick read but an uninvolving one. ( )

to be added ( )

This offers less action but more thought provocation than your typical Vance story, with interesting concepts and societies and characters. I found the ending not particularly satisfying. ( )

Very interesting novel, with the easy majesty of Vance's descriptive writing and a well thought out plot hinging entirely on the form and use of language. Not the normal space fare, compromise features prominently--characters using patience and compromise? How speculative is that!? ( )

http://speculiction.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-of-languages-of-pao-by-jack.html ( )