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In the heart of every family, there exists a unique language, a secret world of words and expressions that bind its members together. This is what linguists refer to as a familect, a term that encompasses words, expressions, nicknames, anecdotes, and more, drawing on in-jokes, shared history, and popular media to establish a family's identity.
One such family is the Gleesons. Louise Gleeson's kids have developed a secret language within their family, a familect that no outsider can understand. A phrase in this secret language, known as 'ozee-chicken,' translates to 'it's stressful, but it'll be OK.' Another term, 'quallum,' means 'jerk.'
Familects are a living, breathing entity that evolves as a family changes. Kids and parents contribute to the family lexicon, making it a dynamic and ever-changing part of family life. In the case of the Gleesons, it's unclear where these terms originated, as there is no publicly available information about their secret words or phrases or their origins.
The study of familects is not as extensive as that of languages associated with other tight-knit groups. However, researchers like Cynthia Gordon, a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, have delved into this fascinating area. Gordon observed four families in the Washington, D.C., area over several days and listened to weeks of conversations recorded by her subjects.
A familect dictionary can serve as both a historical record and a concrete representation of a family's bond. It's a tangible reminder of the shared experiences and memories that have shaped the family's identity.
In families with a bilingual parent, familect can help maintain a little bit of linguistic heritage. Parents contribute to the family lexicon by introducing words based on where they grew up, bringing their own dialect background to it. Christine Mallinson, a professor of linguistics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, notes this phenomenon.
Familects are typically confined to the private sphere. However, they can be used as a way of reaching out and creating solidarity after arguments or conflicts. A Mad-Libs-style competition or a Scrabble game using familect terms can be a fun challenge for family bonding.
Language is something that can carry family memories wherever you go. It's a testament to the power of communication and the strength of family ties. By deliberately cultivating a shared family language, parents can foster a cohesive unit bound by a shared, secret language. After all, family is where the heart is, and what better way to express that than through the creative possibilities of language.
