An American Who Speaks Tamil: The Impressive Journey of Brian Linebaugh

How far would you go to learn a foreign language? For Brian Linebaugh, a data engineer from California, this question led to a journey that would change his life forever. His passion for the Tamil language not only drove him to study it for over twenty years but also to create an impressive documentary about Tamil culture and traditions: Beyond Words – Stories from Tamil Landscapes.

The Start of an Extraordinary Journey

Brian’s fascination with Tamil began during his school years in California. While his classmates chose guitar or football, he was captivated by the sounds of Tamil spoken by Indian classmates. “There was something about the language that just drew me in,” he recalls. He started learning basic words like manjal (yellow) and gnayiru (Sunday). But he soon realized he wanted more—he wanted to speak Tamil fluently.

At 19, Brian made the most radical decision of his life: he packed his bags and traveled alone to Madurai in Tamil Nadu, thousands of miles away. There, he immersed himself deeply in the language and culture. By day, he learned the basics from a retired Tamil professor; by night, he practiced on the bustling streets of Madurai, chatting with banana vendors or haggling over fares with auto-rickshaw drivers. “It was that daily interaction with people that truly helped me understand the language,” Brian says with a smile.

A Passion That Transcends Borders

After his time in Madurai, Brian deepened his knowledge in the U.S., earning a master’s degree in Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley, under the guidance of renowned professor George Hart. But Tamil is no easy language. “For native speakers, spoken and written Tamil may seem similar, but for us foreigners, they’re almost two different languages,” he explains.

This deep connection to the language and culture became the driving force behind his documentary Beyond Words. Brian and his wife, Janaki Seetharaman, traveled to four countries—India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore—and spoke with over 200 people. Initially, Brian wanted to document different Tamil dialects, but it soon became clear the film would cover much more than just language. “It turned into a celebration of Tamil culture and arts,” he says. From street theater Therukoothu to shadow puppetry Tholpavakoothu, the film showcases the diversity and beauty of Tamil traditions.

The Deep Soul of Tamil Culture

For Brian, one element of Tamil culture moves him deeply: Virundhombal—hospitality. During filming, he experienced countless touching moments, but one stands out. In a small village in the Kongu region, he wanted to interview an elderly woman who made palm sugar cubes. Despite her modest means, she repeatedly asked if she could offer him tea or food. “She had so little but treated us like family. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it,” Brian shares.

The Journey Continues

Even after twenty years of learning Tamil, Brian remains humble: “It’s still hard to speak fluently.” But his commitment to honoring the language and culture remains unwavering. With his documentary, which recently premiered at the Jaipur International Film Festival, he hopes to reach a global audience and share the beauty of Tamil culture with others.

As he leaves, Brian promises: “Next time, we’ll speak only in Tamil.” We look forward to it, Brian—Naanga kaatirukirom!