Coming out of the (language) closet

According to Wikipedia, the part of this sentence falling outside the brackets is an idiom which, when applied to people, means «the voluntary and public disclosure of one's homosexuality». When it's not voluntary, the expression used is outing. I didn't know that.

The reason I mention this subject is a new book that has fallen into my hands: Sortir de l'armari lingüístic. This book, based on the educational content of TELP (Taller de l'Espai Lingüístic Personal) and written by the workshop teachers -Ferran Suay and Gemma Sanguines- looks at a growing predicament while offering a prose version of the oral teachings conveyed at these workshops.

The book works on cases of speakers who remain in the language closet, either embarrassed or lacking the required space to come out. Dealt with originally and personally, these cases based on peoples' experiences, anecdotes and concerns give the impression of dealing with six real people or characters.

The six cases are: the immigrants Taliana, la parlant romanesa and Khadim, el parlant africà; Bernat, el parlant cremat who suffers from linguistic "burnout"; Tomeu, el parlant tímid who, despite his harsh linguistic situation, moves towards Spanish in the most common of these; Miren, la parlant basca who, when she travels to Catalonia, transmits Catalan to all those with whom she comes into contact, yet finds it difficult to maintain Basque when she returns to the Basque Country, and Neus, la parlant militant who works for the Reus Catalan service and may well share similarities with many of those among you who are reading this article.

One at a time, all of the above take their place on the psychologist's couch. The first step is to diagnose their behaviour. They are then handed a sheet on how to help themselves and their cases are closed by writing out a prescription summarising the extent to which each person or character is capable of achieving improved linguistic behaviour.

This enactment of a doctor's visit is told in a way that's easy-to-understand, familiar and educational, all rounded off with small doses of psychology and a guide to improved linguistic assertiveness.

Personally speaking, I don't believe that linguistic outing is particularly recommendable for us, that is forcing us out of the language closet without our individual consent. I feel that this coming out of the closet must start with each person's desire to do so. Having said this, when the desire does exist, all help is appreciated. But, a poc a poc as the Catalans say, starting with the most obvious and easiest situations and progressing according to each person's desire and ability to do so.

I think this coming out is healthy, both for those who feel uncomfortable in the linguistic closet and for those who come into contact with them, watching and listening. It doesn't solve all problems (that would be going too far!), but it does go some way to making them easier to manage.

Coming out! You can!


Iñaki Arruti
Basque language technician in the Town Hall of Lasarte-Oria