A language for the deaf.

[Lionhearted]

As Sand and I were discussing in-character, there's going to be dead cats in the Clans, which gives everyone a huge problem.

The deaf cats can't hear and most possibly can't talk (never heard language in the first place), I think we could devise a silent system for the deaf cats to be able to communicate. This is all going to be in-clan, but I think it's best if everyone knows the system.

It can be ear flicks or tail signals, or something like that.

[Midnight]

I figure that either people can set up their own little silent languages with their characters just by having their deaf characters interact with others in that way or they can simply use general cat body language to figure things out.

[Deleted]

Actually, deaf people can learn how to understand and speak verbally, but because they cannot hear their voice, they don't have the ability to differentiate sound. Their speech is patchy (usually missing sounds that aren't easy to see mouthed), but it's understandable. They also have very exaggerated mouth movements. If your character is deaf and never picks up speaking, then the signing would make sense, but otherwise they could be able to talk.

[Deleted]

I've actually been doing that with Cloudpaw, my deaf LeafClan she-cat. IC, she has had lessons with a few cats, repeating words that they teach her and learning their meanings. She doesn't say full sentences, as that would be unrealistic, but she can say enough to get her point across. If you need an example, I can post a thread that she has been involved in.