Speaking language? The politics of language and power in Saga

Abstract

Linguists like to joke that a language is a ‘dialect with an army and navy’, a suggestion which takes on even greater meaning within the universe of Saga, where the strongest military powers speak a dialect known as Language. This analysis explores the power of language in Saga, the continuing series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. The series uses the graphic-verbal medium of comics to draw special attention to the use of language and to portray linguistic power dynamics within the story. This analysis will first discuss the depiction of linguistic identity and multilingualism in Saga through the use of lettering, discourse and constructed language. The second portion of this analysis will examine two characters through their use of language, artistic representation and lettering: a power holder seeking to maintain power, Prince Robot IV, and a talking animal who subverts power structures with a one-word vocabulary, Lying Cat.