Set in the not too distant future of 2205, and using fictional legislation implemented in 1991, Native Tongue is an intriguing depiction of a world where women are property, aliens are trading partners, and inherent ability to learn languages is a goldmine inherent only in certain families. What few realise is that a revolution is already underway, and the women deemed least essential are empowering all women to fight back against male dominance. Working through the hypothesis that 'science fiction is our best and most powerful resource for trying out social changes before we make them' Suzette Haden-Elgin has written a powerful exploration of society and gender relations.