Non-binary language in Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Abstract

Akwaeke Emezi's book, Pet, is their second published in Brazil. A fiction about a utopia where abusive, violent people were considered monsters and got isolated from society thanks to angels. A world where Chimia, a trans adolescent who mostly communicates by sign language, can have a peaceful life – what changes when an angel, as Pet introduces themselve, comes out from her mother's paint. They will make her ask if new Lucille is really free from monsters and, later, make the city people ask if the chosen approach was the better way to deal with monsters. Pet plays with the children imaginary and present a portuguese nonbinary language – different than the first published in Brazil, Fresh water. This review considers the meaning of this translation choice in the book for those who read it hoping that, one day, they could live like that as well.