Foreigner, Invader, Inheiriter, by C.J. Cherryh.
I love these books. I love the alien peoples, the miscommunications in the alien-human interface, the politics, the adventure, asking what does it mean to be human, what does it mean to be atevi. Just great.
Bren Cameron is the paidhi, the treaty-appointed translator between humans and atevi. Said humans inadvertantly colonized the planet after Many Things Went Wrong during a trip attempt directed elsewhere. His life, an odd one to begin with, takes some serious twists and turns when someone tries to assassinate him without filing Intent first. Things proceed to proceed in a truly alien world.
Cherryh has a website that looks a little out of date but includes some great language stuff -- pre and post-1900 language research she's done, Learn Latin The Easy Way -- an essay or two (or more) on writing, and other stuff. Enough for some serious time-not-wasted.
p.s.: I adore the Michael Whelan cover on Invader.
