some of my linguistic headcanons for the avatar universe
– assuming each nation has its own language, or at least its own dialect, Aang would have sounded super old to Katara and Sokka – languages change a lot in 100 years! Which, we see a little bit of with “flamo hotman!”
– Katara and Sokka understand Zuko out of necessity, as the SWT picked up the Fire dialect after 100 years of war and raids
– Toph would know all the formal dialects, being tutored in each of them thanks to her wealth but would have no idea what all the slang terms Katara and Sokka are throwing at each mean
– consequently, this means she would understand Aang best, since she learned the Air dialect as if it were a dead language, like we study Latin
– a United dialect would have developed by Korra’s time, but Katara still teaches all of her children and grandchildren Southern Water, and Aang teaches them all Old Air, small acts of resistance for the two of them, bringing their cultures back from extinction
Have this Zuko I did for Mother’s Day. (Zuko is my mom’s fav)
[image description: a digital illustration of Zuko smiling. He is looking up to where there is a baby turtleduck siting on his head. He has his arms raised to make sure they don’t fall. End id]
One piece of Avatar lore I don’t quite believe is that most avatars don’t learn they’re the avatar until they’re told on their 16th birthday.
like, POV you’re some Earth Kingdom kid who knows the previous Water Tribe avatar died suspiciously close to the time you were born. You CANNOT tell me that that entire class-year of starry bright-eyed children doesn’t spend every waking moment trying to prove they’re the avatar. “Shut up Hang Lee you’re not the avatar I’M the avatar. That stream just moved toward me.” “Nuh-uh a fish did that and Avatar Tepek died on the summer solstice and YOU’RE a winter baby.” “All the seasons are opposite in the water tribe Hang Lee!” “Nuh-uh”
You’re 8 years old with all your other 8-year-old friends at your first day of How To Throw A Rock Class you CANNOT tell me that every kid present doesn’t waste half the class trying to catch grass on fire with all the sincerity and conviction of a gas station hopeful snagging a mega-millions lotto ticket with their Mars bar and $30 gas fill-up.
ifesbob 