To the Best of Our Knowledge: The Language of Science Fiction

In this hour, China Mieville doesn¿t follow trends. He sets them. His groundbreaking fiction has received critical acclaim and multiple awards. Mieville¿s new novel is called Embassytown. It features aliens that speak a strange language in a strange way - with two voices simultaneously. Mieville spoke with Anne Strainchamps about Embassytown.

Then, Samuel R. Delany has been described as "American science fiction's most consistently brilliant and inventive writer." He was a published author before he turned 20. In 2002, Delany was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Delany's non-fiction includes the essay collection, The Jewel-Hinged Jaw: Notes on the Language of Science Fiction. He talked to Steve Paulson about his love of language.

Next, Seo-Young Chu teaches English at Queens College, City University of New York. She's the author of Do Metaphors Dream of Literal Sleep?: A Science-Fictional Theory of Representation. In the book, Chu argues that science fiction is a kind of 'high-intensity realism." She spoke with Jim Fleming.

And finally, Amiri Baraka is a celebrated poet, playwright and activist. He's also the author of the foreword to the book, This Planet Is Doomed: The Science Fiction Poetry of Sun Ra. The book is a collection of poems by Sun Ra, the innovative band leader and composer. Baraka spoke to Steve Paulson about Sun Ra's music and poetry. [Broadcast Date: September 27, 2011]