- Each language has their unique encoding of their language represented in pulses of light.
- Written text remains the same
- The light is beamed from the human head in 360 degrees when ever they communicate, visible for up to 1KM
- Instumental music still works, and people can still hear things, just not talk.
- People currenly alive will instantly know how to communicate with light in equivalent proficiency to their speech proficiency before the scenario happening, but everyone born from now on will have to learn from the adults.
Remember: Light cannot penetrate walls
I was going to say something like this (that it could combine in interesting ways) though if we assume that it was part of society’s past it’s more likely it was never created due to lack of need (being deaf would no longer be a hindrance to communication).
Though being blind would be even worse and I’m not sure what (simple) system* could be created to overcome that. It would be like being deaf now but without sign-language existing, at least when it comes to receiving communication.
* I guess maybe some implant like a modified cochlear implant, but that’s not exactly simple