If you answered “yes” to the above question, and you’re normally vocal, your family and co-workers are likely wondering what has changed or gone wrong.  

I’ll explain.

laconic | adj.

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)<laconic by nature, he found the monastery’s vow of silence was very much to his liking>

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The word “laconic” does not necessarily relate to the use of sign language as implied by the image above.  However, this image of the letter “L” best described the word “laconic.”

The image here is of a young actress playing the role of an uncommunicative orphan in the Irish dramatic thriller, The Daisy Chain.  Whether unable to talk or choosing not to, this character could also be described as laconic.

Laconic people are known to speak infrequently, appear aloof, considered by others to be sedate or reserved.

Another good example I came across when searching for images to offer a visual of “laconic” is Bill Belicheck, coach of the New England Patriots.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa - Patriots coach Bill Belichick has molded his team in his likeness: all business and uncommunicative.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa – Patriots coach Bill Belichick has molded his team in his likeness: all business and uncommunicative.

This photo appeared on ESPN Boston. The article referred to Belicheck as “taciturn, profane and eternally uncommunicative.”  Uncommunicative is among the list of synonyms provided for laconic at Merriam-Webster.com.

A laconic character in your novel or historical fiction work could be difficult to deal with if you’re a writer who enjoys writing dialogue.  The tight-lipped say very few words!

Click on images for attributions.