Language and linguistics in Frank Herbert's Dune

Frank Herbert's novel Dune incorporates a number of different themes related to language or linguistics.

One of the most prominent examples is the use of Voice by the Bene Gesserit. The concept is that by varying pitch and tone, a skilled speaker can exert influence over listeners, subtly influencing their patterns of thought or even causing them to act physically without their control.

The Atreides have developed a unique form of sign language called "Battle Language."

At a dinner party on Arrakis, Jessica Atreides is able to discern a speaker's cultural origin and education by noticing their speaking cadence and pacing, rather than a specific regional accent.

Bene Gesserit adepts are able to learn and comprehend new languages at a superhuman rate, by listening to snatches of conversation. During the siege of Arrakis, Jessica hears Harkonnen code over the radio, but "not enough to register the language."

The "violence" of the Fremen Chakobsa tongue is described as indicating the fierce violence of the Fremen culture; see the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis for discussion of this theory.

Much of the common Fremen language is derived from modern Arabic words.

Count Hasimir Fenring and Lady Margot Fenring appear to have developed a private language that is based on humming.