Can a (proper) mute person laugh?

[Naruzeldamaster]

To clarify, what I mean by 'proper' is someone who legitimately has the inability to speak. Not someone choosing to be 'mute' which is a thing.
I know they can't produce words, but, laughing isn't words? Laughter itself is a convoluted mix of uncontrollable letter sounds I think.

In one of my stories I will be writing a mute person.

In Canon, she doesn't ever speak in english, although for some reason they never consider allowing her to communicate through texts. (Despite phones existing in said world)
But she does make little sounds occasionally, just not, ones that would count as 'words' most she does is cute/sexy little 'mmm' noises and such.

 

[pmmg]

Yes, I am sure they can laugh, probably involuntarily. Since they may be unaware of their volume, they may try to stifle it, or take cues from those around them.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Yes, I am sure they can laugh, probably involuntarily. Since they may be unaware of their volume, they may try to stifle it, or take cues from those around them.

Yeah, in the show, said character rarely makes sounds at all (If she does, it's like I said, cute / horny 'hmm' or 'mmm' sounds) this character doesn't seem the type to laugh at any old thing. When I do intend to make her laugh, it'll probably be at something in character (For her)

I was thinking at some point my protagonist would find a way to 'heal' her inability to speak. In an effort to negotiate with her boss. (He has the technology to do so, his medical tech is far more advanced than the current medical tech.) but until then I'm sticking to her usual nonsense and probably texts. She's genuinely quite shocked when she finds herself able to speak.

The hard part will be keeping her in character while she's communicating through texting. They don't really explore that option in canon and I haven't read much other fanfiction of the show in question (RWBY) so I don't know if other authors in the fanbase take this approach.

It's also never confirmed weather she is a mute (Medically) or if she's simply choosing to not speak. There's no 'lore' about her on that front so it's hard to say. (pun unintended) All of what I can find about her just says 'she's a mute' and that's about it.

 

[pmmg]

If she was to gain the ability to speak, she would probably speak badly. She would need training with using words.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

If she was to gain the ability to speak, she would probably speak badly. She would need training with using words.

Interesting, how long do you think it'd take her to learn to speak properly? (She's a fairly intelligent person)

 

[pmmg]

She would probably had passable speech in less than a year. After that, its just how much she wants it.

 

[Mad Swede]

Yeah, in the show, said character rarely makes sounds at all (If she does, it's like I said, cute / horny 'hmm' or 'mmm' sounds) this character doesn't seem the type to laugh at any old thing. When I do intend to make her laugh, it'll probably be at something in character (For her)

I was thinking at some point my protagonist would find a way to 'heal' her inability to speak. In an effort to negotiate with her boss. (He has the technology to do so, his medical tech is far more advanced than the current medical tech.) but until then I'm sticking to her usual nonsense and probably texts. She's genuinely quite shocked when she finds herself able to speak.

The hard part will be keeping her in character while she's communicating through texting. They don't really explore that option in canon and I haven't read much other fanfiction of the show in question (RWBY) so I don't know if other authors in the fanbase take this approach.

It's also never confirmed weather she is a mute (Medically) or if she's simply choosing to not speak. There's no 'lore' about her on that front so it's hard to say. (pun unintended) All of what I can find about her just says 'she's a mute' and that's about it.

I hate to write this, but have you given any thought at all as to how offensive this and your original question might be to some readers?

If I were you I would find some internet discussion group formed by people who are mute and very politely ask a few questions like this. It will make your character far more believable and you will avoid offending and patronising some readers (even unintentionally). This is one of those situations where you have to do some proper research and not just "find it on the internet". And yes, the answers you get may surprise you.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I hate to write this, but have you given any thought at all as to how offensive this and your original question might be to some readers?

If I were you I would find some internet discussion group formed by people who are mute and very politely ask a few questions like this. It will make your character far more believable and you will avoid offending and patronising some readers (even unintentionally). This is one of those situations where you have to do some proper research and not just "find it on the internet". And yes, the answers you get may surprise you.

First of all, the intention isn't to offend the readers. The Writers of the show are the ones who portray her this way. And I seriously doubt the writer's intention was to offend mutes either.

Second, as I said it's never confirmed if she's a mute for medical reasons or is just choosing not to speak, in the lore or otherwise by the show writers. That is something I can't help on my end. Nor can I help how she's depicted in the show itself. Fans of all kinds (Potentially even Mute fans) enjoy her being in the show at all. So they're apparently doing something right.

Third: Kindly direct me to a group of mute people where I can properly ask these sorts of questions then. Because 'the internet' is one of the few options I have available to me at the moment.

 

[pmmg]

Are not people on the internet interacting in a mute way?

I would think if one was intentionally being mute, they might actually be more aware of the noises they make, and make less of them. (Though, can one really just choose not to speak and have it last a lifetime? I think that would be a near impossible feat).

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Are not people on the internet interacting in a mute way?

Right, and I could ask people on the internet if I can ask a few questions about being mute. Maybe my posts could have used less sarcasm, but other than that. I was genuinely innocently asking the question.

I would think if one was intentionally being mute, they might actually be more aware of the noises they make, and make less of them. (Though, can one really just choose not to speak and have it last a lifetime? I think that would be a near impossible feat).

I mean in canon, the character in question doesn't 'speak' (aside from the sounds mentioned above, which, phrasing aside, is how she is in canon.) and she doesn't appear super often. All I know is when she does appear she "carries herself" a certain way, fans like that about her. I'm sure she has a few mute fans too. She's also one of the stronger/more dangerous characters in the show as well.

If she does speak 'off screen' I can't imagine what she'd talk about other than being driven insane by her boss. (She's the 'loyal henchmen' of a villain, who's...let's just say weirdly competent and incompetent.) But as said either way, it's never confirmed in the show or by the show's writers. We just know she doesn't talk much whenever she's on screen.

If I do give her a method to speak, for now I think it would be through text messages, since everyone can do that.

If I decide to give her a method to speak out-loud, which I'm still debating, I'll have to carefully consider the details of how it occurs.
I don't want it to be some 'magic cure' type of deal (Though one of my characters IS an alchemist, she mostly sticks to 'real' medicine, and some...quirky potions, that are not to be taken lightly) because apparently that'd be offensive.

Another option could be like the collars the dogs from Up wear, but not played for comedy/amusement like it usually is. Though, maybe not have said device be a dog collar...

 

[pmmg]

I think if magic existed, offensive or not, people would use it to cure stuff.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I think if magic existed, offensive or not, people would use it to cure stuff.

I'd go in deep about the 'magic' of RWBY but that's a whole other topic.
This character's medical technology is advanced enough, just debating if I wanna do it or not. The signal translator idea could also work, if I take it seriously. Both technologies would use a tiny bit of the series 'magic'

With regards to my Alchemist, she can create a formula for...just about anything, the cavate is that she has no idea how...potent it is until someone drinks it. So she tries not to make goofy stuff unless she makes one in her sleep. (which yes, she does that )

 

[Sheilawisz]

Without knowing the background of this character in detail, it’s something tricky to answer.

For example, people that are born deaf can laugh alright. They may sound a bit different to normal laughter, but there is nothing either physiological or psychological that prevents them from laughing.

What is the cause of the mutism in this character?

1- Trouble with the various muscles and nerves involved in the generation of speech.

2- Trouble with the area of the brain associated with speech.

3- Psychological causes.

4- Vocal damage of some kind, though that would impact only the ability to vocalize. Vocalization and speech are not the same thing.

We would need to know if the character was able to speak until something happened, or perhaps the character has always suffered from a speech disorder?

A total inability to laugh is rare and involves a serious cause.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Without knowing the background of this character in detail, it’s something tricky to answer.

For example, people that are born deaf can laugh alright. They may sound a bit different to normal laughter, but there is nothing either physiological or psychological that prevents them from laughing.

It's never stated what the direct cause of her muteness is (I haven't seen later seasons so maybe it's explored there) she's a simi-minor character that became a 'fan favorite' so she got brought back quite often.

What is the cause of the mutism in this character?

1- Trouble with the various muscles and nerves involved in the generation of speech.

Would she be able to make her little sounds if it was this?

2- Trouble with the area of the brain associated with speech.

3- Psychological causes.

Could Potentially be one of these, but again, it's never confirmed in lore or otherwise. The audience just knows she's a mute and we accept that.

4- Vocal damage of some kind, though that would impact only the ability to vocalize. Vocalization and speech are not the same thing.

Could potentially be this also, she's a fighter and gets in quite a lot of scrapes, so it's possible her voice was severely damaged at some point off screen.

We would need to know if the character was able to speak until something happened, or perhaps the character has always suffered from a speech disorder?

A total inability to laugh is rare and involves a serious cause.

She's mute from the first time we see her to the 'last' time we see her. And this part of her story isn't really explored in the parts of the show I've seen. There's some 'extended canon' in a couple of games, but I don't know if it's explored there.

Honestly RWBY is generally pretty bad about 'exploring' these bits of the characters unless it's the main group. There's a ton of other characters in the show and it only focuses on the lead team featured on the title card.

 

[Sheilawisz]

Would she be able to make her little sounds if it was this?

Sure.

If the causes behind her mutism are not really explained in canon, then I think that the easiest way to explain it in fanfiction would be the psychological cause. Severe trauma you know, something dark and terrible somewhere in her past.

Serious vocal damage may result in other symptoms that are probably not displayed in the show, and in that case she would be using an electrolarynx anyway.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Sure.

If the causes behind her mutism are not really explained in canon, then I think that the easiest way to explain it in fanfiction would be the psychological cause. Severe trauma you know, something dark and terrible somewhere in her past.

I think I might go with these reasons. (the part of the brain and the traumatic past bit) Her Past isn't really explored (Yet, I stopped watching at the end of volume 4. I don't know if it's explored in volumes 5+) so this could be an interesting angle.

Could make for a less sci fi way to heal her too, help her get past the trauma. Very few people in the show really get 'close' to her in that way (Not even her boss whos in charge of her) so someone breaking past her 'wall' would be interesting.

Serious vocal damage may result in other symptoms that are probably not displayed in the show, and in that case she would be using an electrolarynx anyway.

Hmm I'd have to watch the show again to see how often she 'speaks' (She does it rarely even on camera) but the way she makes her noises has lead to some uh over excited fans. There are plenty of 'normal ' fans of her and I'd count myself among them.

This kind of situation is going to be a bit like Giving Link (Legend of Zelda) dialogue, bro is usually a silent protagonist, so us authors have to craft a personality for him when we write stories with him involved. If I do allow her to 'heal' and speak, I'll have to make sure I depict her as close to canon as possible.

 

[A. E. Lowan]

*raises hand* I think I've missed something along the way - which should surprise absolutely nobody - but are we talking about a fanfic? I love fanfic, just trying to figure out what gear we're in. lol

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

*raises hand* I think I've missed something along the way - which should surprise absolutely nobody - but are we talking about a fanfic? I love fanfic, just trying to figure out what gear we're in. lol

Fan fiction, but I want her to be accurate to canon (Which unfortunately means her cute sounds when 'interested' in someone are staying.) when/if she does speak. There's not a lot of info about her past in canon either. Fans like her both because she's mute and because she's actually a strong character. (one of the more decent 'threats' to the protagonists in the show in early seasons even)

 

[Mad Swede]

First of all, the intention isn't to offend the readers. The Writers of the show are the ones who portray her this way. And I seriously doubt the writer's intention was to offend mutes either.

I understand that. But, the problem is that it is the reader's own interpretation of the character which can sometimes lead to the reader taking offence. As writers we don't control how other people react to our work. You need to bear this in mind when you're writing, because if your stories become better known then you may find yourself havng to defend how you portrayed a character and at that point you need to be able to explain why you did so and what you did to research the character.

Second, as I said it's never confirmed if she's a mute for medical reasons or is just choosing not to speak, in the lore or otherwise by the show writers. That is something I can't help on my end. Nor can I help how she's depicted in the show itself. Fans of all kinds (Potentially even Mute fans) enjoy her being in the show at all. So they're apparently doing something right.

The fact that the show doesn't seem to get any complaints that you know of doesn't mean their portrayal is seen as OK. It just means you don't know of any complaints.

Third: Kindly direct me to a group of mute people where I can properly ask these sorts of questions then. Because 'the internet' is one of the few options I have available to me at the moment.

No. You do the research. Doing research like this is a skill you must learn as a writer if you're going to be serious about your writing. That means getting out onto the internet, searching for information and then learning how to judge what you find. Not everything on the internet is reliable...

 

[caosCatQueenuu]

"Can a (proper) mute person"
What does this even mean. I know you explained it but I really want you to consider what it means to say that only some of a group of people you definitely are not part of are real. What does it mean that you have judged some members of a minority as valid and some as fake. Consider the implications for a monument would you.

'Not someone choosing to be 'mute' which is a thing.'

Are you talking about selective mutism? Whether you are or not that's a messed up thing to say: but if you are referring to mute people that are physically capable of speech or do sometimes talk that is just inaccurate.

although for some reason they never consider allowing her to communicate through texts. (Despite phones existing in said world)

I for one can't form words even on paper or through typing when I'm nonverbal.

On your actual question, yes if the exact form of mutism is never specified its perfectly possible this character can laugh. And its fanfiction anyways, its not the end of the world if you get something wrong.