[Fantastic worlds] Language of dragons: the study against the clock of a language that escapes our understanding

Within the genre of fantasy literature, there are three types of settings. In one, the worlds are completely imaginary (Middle Earth, for example). In another they are of a hybrid type, where reality and fantasy coexist on two parallel planes and the protagonists transit between them. But there is a third, that of the uchronies: a reality modified to incorporate fictional or, as in this case, magical elements. This is what happens withdragons tongue(2025).

dragons tongue It takes place in London in 1923, but in one where dragons are not creatures of legend, but of flesh and blood.. These have an intelligence comparable to that of humans, including the possibility of speaking both the different languages ​​of our species and their own, developed in the image and likeness of the former. As a consequence, both species can understand each other and coexist despite their differences. At least untilGreat War.

The end of the war between both species was sealed aPeace treatythat, in reality,soured their relationships. Humans and dragons mixed less and less in everyday life. On the other hand, the differences between humans themselves also grew.There were first, second and even third class people. The latter barely took the remainder of the others, while the latter juggled to avoid being demoted and losing her modest privileges.

Vivien FeatherswallowShe is a young woman of about seventeen years old who belongs to the aforementioned second class. From the beginning she was educated under continuous pressure to get the best grades and avoid being demoted, but, in addition to that, she has ainnate talent for draconic languages. She is very excited about the possibility of Dr. Rita Hollingsworth, rector of the Academy of Draconic Linguistics, seeing her work and opening the doors for her to do internships at the Academy.

But it all turned out to be a trap.His parents, uncle and cousin were arrested on suspicion of belonging to a rebel organization., formed by both dragons and humans, to subvert the order that emerged from the Peace Treaty. Desperate, Viv left her little sister safe with the parents of an old friend and will try something crazy that will make herI also ended up arrested.

The Prime Minister herself, Wyvernmire, will blackmail her into joining theDragon Defense Department (DDCD), secretly located in the Bletchley Park detention center, in which other misfit young people will also participate. Your goal will beunravel the meaning of an ultrasonic language, beyond human hearing and totally unknown, in order to win the war against the rebels.Your family's life is in your hands.

Dragons Tonguehastypical elements of current youth literature, but also others that give it its own entity. The society divided into classes or castes and oppressive government systems is something that has already been seen in others of this style, such asthe hunger games(2008) andDivergent(2011). It also shares a literary style:first-person action and present tense, sentences that are not too long or elaborate, a relative abundance of ready-made phrases and an intimate and emotional style.

On the other hand, this work has other aspects that attracted my attention and made me decide to read it. First of all, I don't know many fantasy works that belong to the third type of setting, a modern, industrial society, with dragons. Furthermore, the author,S.F. Williamson, wanted to express his philological vocation in the work, something that reminded me of Tolkien, bridging the many distances that separate them. That gives it its own and interesting seal.

The author does not lose sight of the target audience at any time, but leaves some details of the job, such as keeping in mind the mentality of the culture that speaks the language to be translated. The fact thatthe protagonist is a translatorInstead of something that lends itself more to action, like a warrior or something like that, it is something to highlight. In addition, it is worth highlighting the changes in typography or graphic resources to add “immersion” to letters, posters, documents, etc.

The protagonist deserves special mention. Far from being a typical heroine,It gives the feeling that we are looking at a normal girl, with all her imperfections.. She loves her family with all her heart, but she is also insecure, somewhat proud and even selfish. It's just what you would expect from a little girl who has always gotten the best grades and isideological product of the class to which it belongs. That last one is, precisely, the most interesting thing that I think the book has.

Vayamos ahora con lo que no me gustó tanto dedragons tongue. En un primer momento pensé que los dragones de esta novela eran antropomorfos. ¿Cómo podría ser de otro modo, si había habidodragones contables en oficinas bancarias, profesores, etc.? Pues no; eran dragones como los conocemos e incluso tirando a grandes.Eso me sacó bastante de la historia. La suspensión de la incredulidad es más fácil en fantasía, lo verosímil importa menos, pero aún así hay límites. Y más aún si el mundo se inspira en la realidad.

Por otro lado, es imposible presentar una sociedad injusta bajo el paradigma «inclusivo», woke. Se insinúa desigualdad legal contra las mujeres, pero éstas ocupan los principales cargos, incluso primera ministra (Tatcher no gobernaría hasta 1979). Se habla de discriminación racial, pero sale una chica negra de primera clase. La homosexualidad parece relativamente normalizada. En resumen, esun mundo más “progre” que su paralelo real en esos años y no es consistente con sus propias premisas.

También veo un problema con el marketing. Aunque técnicamente esromanticasy(el amor entre los personajes influye mucho en el desarrollo de la obra),no hay muchas escenas de romance en sí mismo, y lo más “spicy”, lo más subido de tono que contiene no llega demasiado lejos. En cambio,en la sinopsis aparecen las típicas etiquetas eróticas deWattpad como “slow burn” y “enemies to lovers”. Esto puede tanto desilusionar a quienes buscan lo que promete como alejar a quienes no quieren leer eso.

Por último, he tenido que tragarme una crítica que iba a hacer hasta que llegué a cierto punto de la historia. El hecho de quegente tan joven se dedicase a una cuestión tan trascendental, propia de los cargos más veteranos y experimentados, es algo muy típico y que hizo que me costase tomarme en serio la historia, peroterminó siendo resuelto de forma satisfactoria.

dragons tonguees una obra que tiene muchas cosas de la literatura enfocada mayormente a un público juvenil en general (incluso adolescente) y femenino en particular, pero que, al mismo tiempo, su desarrollo argumental mantiene y desarrolla la intriga, sus personajes son muy humanos y presenta detalles filológicos interesantes. Quizás lo más negativo de lo mencionado sea el marketing. Si no llega a ser por las referencias externas, ni me hubiese acercado a este libro.

Debido a que fue publicado este mismo año 2025, no habrá problema alguno para hacerse con él, ni caben dilemas con las editoriales y ediciones. Fue publicado en español en tapa blanda por laeditorial Salamandra.