forum I need help writing a mute character! :D

Started June 08, 2021 by @XGrayvee language

tune

My character NK (it/its) is mute. It is mainly mute because it suffers from Selective Mutism but it also has social anxiety, which contributes to the disorder. It uses sign language to communicate with friends however it can be hard when they can't understand what it's signing. This is what I have so far but it would be amazing to have some tips on how to make it more realistic. <3

Following so I have this when someone more qualified comes along because I wanna know too
I guess I'm somewhat selectively mute, but I don't use sign language often or know it super well, but I do have some pet peeves brought to my attention by rick riordan's writing

• actually look up the signs your character is signing if you're going to try to describe them
• on that note, like spoken language, different areas have their own slang and signs for different words, research that as well if you're going to describe signs
• don't make jokes about your other characters misinterpreting sign language as something goofy, like "it could have meant pancakes or run", especially when the two signs aren't remotely similar. it's not funny.
• sign language sentence structure isn't like English structure. I don't understand it but there are lots of videos explaining. Your character might not utilize this depending on how it learned, how often it uses sign language, etc
• like a lot of languages, it you know a little bit, it can be easier to pick out words you know and use context clues to get the basic idea of what someone is saying. Signs are also (generally) based in common sense, so sometimes it's easy to get at least the gist of what a sign means

I'm not sure how much you already know about sign language so I hope at least some of this was new/helpful

Also, a lot of people who sign mouth what they're signing, so if NK is uncomfortable with/is unable to manage mouthing/whispering things too, it may be a lot harder for people to understand it. Especially people who are actually in the HoH community and rely on both sign and lip reading.

Additionally, people with selective mutism usually can speak to people like friends and close family, so long as the situation isn't pressuring or there aren't really other people around.

And to poke one thing I think to be inconsistent as a whole. People with selective mutism have hard times communicating in general, not just verbally. Nonverbal communication, be it initiating or responding, is more often than not difficult too. It's not only about inability to speak when anxious, it's about not being able to communicate.

Also, a lot of people who sign mouth what they're signing, so if NK is uncomfortable with/is unable to manage mouthing/whispering things too, it may be a lot harder for people to understand it. Especially people who are actually in the HoH community and rely on both sign and lip reading.

Additionally, people with selective mutism usually can speak to people like friends and close family, so long as the situation isn't pressuring or there aren't really other people around.

And to poke one thing I think to be inconsistent as a whole. People with selective mutism have hard times communicating in general, not just verbally. Nonverbal communication, be it initiating or responding, is more often than not difficult too. It's not only about inability to speak when anxious, it's about not being able to communicate.

Thank you so much for helping me understand! I'll definitally do some more research! :D

Of course! No problem at all.