Feldspeak

Feldspeak is a fictional language that appears in the science fiction novel "A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller Jr. It is a simplified form of English developed by the monks of the Albertian Order of Leibowitz after a period of societal collapse and technological regression. The purpose of feldspeak was to preserve and transmit knowledge in a form that was easily understood and learned by those with limited educational backgrounds.

The language is characterized by its basic vocabulary, simplified grammar, and a focus on conveying essential concepts. It is often described as a pidgin language, meaning it arose from the need for communication between groups with no common tongue. Over time, feldspeak evolved, and its preservation became a significant undertaking for the monks, who saw it as a crucial tool for rebuilding civilization. The novel illustrates how language can be both a barrier and a bridge, and how its evolution reflects the state of society. Feldspeak serves as a literary device to explore themes of knowledge, faith, and the cyclical nature of history.