synopsychic | (no subject)

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So, two things.

Thing one: I found Raidou, and it turns out his overlay can't talk. Anyone know a form of sign language we can pass on so the poor guy can at least make himself heard? [So to speak.]

Thing two: Who all's got some Grid-fu at their disposal? We might be able to use that to find out something about our creepy nightly serenade, but I don't have any tricks that'd be halpful by themselves.

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It might be worth a try, and it'd potentially give him a tool. Mermaids aren't big on written language, which makes sense since most everything would wash away, but makes for an obstacle here.

It is more than worthwhile to attempt, given his situation. Even if it doesn't translate, at least he could communicate with me, or anyone else that learns it. If it does not translate, then I will do my best to simplify the movements for important words. It will still take time to learn, as it is a language, after all. Unless, of course, the speed of learning holds similarly to other skills.

Giving someone a 'voice' when they have none is important work.

Even if all we have time to do is pass on some building blocks, it's better than nothing. I mean, what happens if he's the only witness to the next big threat after we're gone and can't tell anybody?

[Or, hell, if he just wants to be left alone for a while and can't make the person bugging him go away.]

My thoughts exactly.

We will need to teach more than just him the language, too. There is no use to signing if you are the only one that knows how.

Yeah, true. We can ask around about that and see if anyone's willing to learn it.

That would be for the best. If we give them the start of it, then they can grow it from there, like all languages do.

[Which gives Drizzt a thought.]

... I will have to create some new signs. There's no word for "love", or other similar concepts.

...Well, that's a real sad sack of a sign language right there. Unless it's more battle-mode signing.

[A surprised laugh, which is followed a bit more soberly:]

More the lack of the entire concept at all, I'm afraid. Drow lack a word for it, written, spoken, or signed, even though my father and I both knew the emotion before we had a word for it. ... But that is an aside. We should focus on helping Raidou's overlay.

I stand corrected. More like a sad sack of a culture.

If you can't come up with a word before we get whisked away again, they'll at least have the tools to make their own, and that is one of the few bits of ASL I actually know.

And I'm afraid that only scrapes the surface—but let us remain focused on the task at hand.

[And he hopes he never has to explain to her how horrible his culture really is, if she's upset by Fridging.]

Perhaps it would be easier if you taught me your word for it. I would not know where to even begin creating one.

[Eh, she'd manage. And be really, really glad she never had to experience it first-hand.]

Arms crossed over your chest, fists closed. ...I can't remember off the top of my head if which arm is on top makes a difference, but in this case I don't think it'll really matter.

[Perhaps someday she shall learn of it.]

... That's remarkably close to the Underdark—and drow—symbol for peace. I should be able to remember that without issue.

Well, that's handy.

Quite handy.

It will take me time to consider the details of how to teach this; drow sign takes too much dexterity for most hands, and it includes facial expressions as well. I will have to simplify it. But I still wish to move quickly to help Raidou.

Would you be interested in learning it as well?

Possibly, but fair warning, I'm complete crap at languages unless it's a computer-programming language.

Nonsense. If you can understand that mess, then you'll have no problem at all understanding simpler words. I learned the full language as a small child, and you're quite a bit older and smarter than I was back then.

[He saw a bit over Jules's shoulder, okay? Programming is definitely a mess. And he has faith in you.]

Trust me, dude, they're completely different skill sets. Besides, it's actually easier to learn languages when you're younger.

Edited 2017-01-10 21:23 (UTC)

[Is it? Hmm, interesting. Drizzt mental voice is slightly teasing, good-natured of course..]

I had no problem learning a new language at 40. I'm sure you will do fine.

[She knows you're a teenager, dude.]

Especially since skills are easier to learn here.

Whatever you say, young whippersnapper. I never said I wouldn't try, I'm just not expecting grand successes given my track record.

[If there's one thing she really wishes she'd retained from an overlay, it's Kaori's gift with languages.]

[Another surprised laugh at being called that, almost like a mental keysmash of amusement. He must like you if you're getting away with calling him that, Claudia.]

We will give it a good try, then, and see where the fates fall.

How soon do you wish to begin teaching?

Sooner's probably better, if we want things to be of any kind of use locally.

A day or two at most, then. It will take me time to consider what is important. I'm used to teaching the art of battle, not language, although I have in the past tried.

At least you're not still steering the boat as well?

True enough—and I sleep regularly once more!

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