Meeting with Olivier Kraif about his novel "Les cathédrales du langage" (The cathedrals of language)

Culture
Olivier Kraif, a researcher in language sciences and specialist in language models, came to present his novel "Les cathédrales du langage" (The Cathedrals of Language) at the Bulles library on November 25, 2025. The audience had the pleasure of discussing the themes addressed in his book with him.

He explained the genesis of his novel and how his research topics influenced his literary writing. Through discussions, participants explored the bridges between linguistic research and fiction, while questioning the importance of words, language, and emotions, as well as the place of robots equipped with artificial intelligence in our societies. It was a stimulating, interdisciplinary encounter that fueled both academic reflection and literary curiosity. The author even hinted that a sequel to the novel might be coming soon... To be continued.

Oliver KRAIF

Summary 

"The year is 2042. Android or gynoid robots are now part of everyday life for humans, holding jobs and performing domestic tasks. The narrator is entrusted with Beatrice, a high-end mecha that he is responsible for configuring, in order to give her an original personality that deviates from the standardized parameters of mass-produced models. Very quickly, he detects something unique and unusual about her. He becomes so fond of her that he even considers buying her from her owner... But when the company comes to his home to take the mecha back to the factory, claiming that she has a serious malfunction that makes her potentially dangerous, the narrator decides to help her escape.
What he discovers in his quest to find a new identity for his protégée will take him beyond the boundaries between human and non-human, and confront him with an enigma whose key may lie in Beatrice's advanced language skills.
 
Updated on January 30, 2026