Ok, I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and even debated with my sis. (She’s in the ‘Link shouldn’t speak’ group.)
I had put a small tidbit in the beginning of this thread, but never delved into it that much. Now that I’ve fleshed out my opinion more, I’d like to share it.
I think that Link shouldn’t speak.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not agree with people that say that because they think he should be a blank avatar for them to project their own personality onto. If they want to play a game like that, go play Pokémon. I want him to have his own personality.
BUT
him not speaking is
part of his personality. Take Zelda’s diary in BotW for example:
That right there is personality. From that paragraph you can tell that Link takes his role as a guard for Zelda very seriously. He may also have some insecurities. He might not want to look weak, or emotional, so he bottles up his deepest worries.
The problem is, that Nintendo doesn’t portray any of that in the cutscenes. For example, the memory #3, Resolve and Grief, shows Zelda walking, with Link trailing behind her. He walks and stares. Nothing else. So much wasted potential...
He could’ve been keeping an eye out for enemies. His eyes could’ve been flicking back forth, studying the scenery around him. With any slight rustle in the woods, he could’ve grasped his sword hilt and stared with narrowed eyes at the place where the sound came from. All of that matches up completely with the ‘strong and silent’ personality he has, and also gives him so much more character.
I’m saying that because some people say that him being completely silent is his whole personality.
That’s the same as saying someone talking a lot is their personality. It’s not. It’s part of it, but it’s not the whole thing. It’s what and why they’re talking that are the big reasons.
So why doesn’t Link talk? Is he shy, have social anxiety, introverted, or what? What are his hobbies? Does he like to do stuff that don’t involve other people? Maybe he’s a daydreamer, stuck in his mind.
Or Maybe he has a disability so he can’t talk, and absolutely hates it.
There are so many personalities that he could have, that keep him silent as well, but Nintendo is too lazy to give him one.
And I’m definitely not a little salty because Nintendo makes characters with barely any personality and everyone loves them while I’m over here creating characters for my novel with the best personalities I can come up with...