Should I have my characters learn sign language

[CrimsonGenius]

In case they are forced to not make noise?

 

[LilRora]

If it fits the setting and their circumstances, then sure.

 

[Rhaps]

If it's just a one time thing, I don't think it's worth it.

 

[NotaNuffian]

In case they are forced to not make noise?

The question is why.

1. Had they been in that situation and are having preparation in case recurrence?
2. Are they, in the foreseeable future, will be in said situation?


If either question's answer is Yes, ask yourself this; is there a better way than sign language such as writing on a board? If the answer is Yes, then why bother with sign language?

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Will they be angry if you do?

 

[greyblob]

yes. in case there is a blind reader

 

[JayMark]

yes. in case there is a blind reader

But that would only work with the audio books.

 

[corruption]

is there a better way than sign language such as writing on a board? If the answer is Yes, then why bother with sign language?

Boards require both hands to be free, and takes time. If they are on the move and can't take time to get a board and write, hand signals would be best.
An example of this is military scouts with their own signals.
I can't imagine people dragging around a writing board while trying to sneak into a highly secure building or fleeing hunters

If they are to learn sign language, give a reason for it. Are they crazy prepared? suffered the same situation in the past? have a deaf relative they learned it for?

 

[Nolff]

I bet it's voiced by a mute.

But that would only work with the audio books.

 

[NotaNuffian]

yes. in case there is a blind reader

I mean, there's text to speech.

And this beauty.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Just for a single scene it is kind of pointless. If there is a deaf character or several characters make use of sign language throughout the story, then it is a good thing. For all of its flaws, Marvel's Echo handled the use of sign language fairly well, for example.

 

[greyblob]

But that would only work with the audio books.

I mean, there's text to speech.

And this beauty.

 

[NotaNuffian]

I got the joke.

I was being a straight man.

Though in this political climate, I might need to snip snip some more.

 

[CrimsonGenius]

The question is why.

1. Had they been in that situation and are having preparation in case recurrence?
2. Are they, in the foreseeable future, will be in said situation?


If either question's answer is Yes, ask yourself this; is there a better way than sign language such as writing on a board? If the answer is Yes, then why bother with sign language?

Not at this point in the story. They might be in a situation where they have to sneak in an enemy base or someone uses a tech/magic to cancel sound.

 

[theInmara]

Not at this point in the story. They might be in a situation where they have to sneak in an enemy base or someone uses a tech/magic to cancel sound.

There are command and tactical signs that various field operatives in different professions use just for this purpose. Your characters might start practicing a simple set of these if it occurs to them, and it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if they're usually doing field work. Especially if they're thinking about sneaking.

They might start with that, and then later decide that full blown ASL or other sign language would be a good idea if the story prompts them to do so. But, a full sign language such as ASL will have a different vocabulary and grammar from a set of tactical signs, so there'd be a bit of a learning curve there.

 

[Anonjohn20]

You'd have to:

1. Set up a motive for the character to want to learn it. (for the story's sake)
2. Make it fulfill a purpose in the story. (for the reader's sake)