A character is unaware of the Language Barrier. Often an animal being unaware that humans can't hear it speak a human language or a baby being unaware that they can't talk as clearly as an adult, but sometimes it will be someone being unaware that a person who speaks a different language can't understand them. Contrast Hiding Behind the Language Barrier, which involves a character being unaware that a character does understand them.
Examples
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Films — Animation
- Bolt: Rhino the hamster is unaware that humans can't hear animals speak English. It's not clear if Bolt, the titular dog, is aware that humans can't hear animals speak English.
- Brother Bear: After being transformed into a bear, it takes Kenai a while to realize that humans only hear roaring when he talks.
- DC League of Super-Pets: Lulu the guinea pig doesn't realize that Superman can't hear animals speak English. Although it's unknown if she thinks normal humans can hear what she's saying.
- Happy Feet: Mumble the penguin is unaware that humans only hear squawking when he talks, although he eventually figures it out.
- Madagascar: There are a couple of scenes in the first film where Alex the lion tries to talk to the humans. All they hear is roaring. The zoo animals never seem to realize that humans can't hear them speak English.
- Pocahontas: John Smith doesn't realize at first that Pocahontas doesn't understand him. But the language barrier is immediately broken by Grandma Willow.
- Space Chimps: The chimps don't seem to realize that humans can't hear them speak English. Zartog is also unaware that humans can't hear him speak English in the sequel.
Films — Live-Action
- Dr. Dolittle: A dog at the animal hospital is unaware that normal humans can't hear animals speak English, as he begs his owner not to neuter him and promises he'll never look at another female.
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey: Chance seems to be unaware that humans can't hear animals talking. An unusual example in that the animal noises are depicted as separate from their speech, so they're all aware that humans can't hear them speak English when they make their animal noises.
Western Animation
- Arthur: In episodes focusing on Baby Kate and Pal, they talk to each other but can't hear anthropomorphic characters who aren't babies speak English and vice versa. Both sides seem to be unaware of the other's inability to hear what the other is saying.
- Family Guy: Subverted. It seems like Stewie is unaware that adults can't hear him talk like an adult, but they have been shown to respond to him, so it's likely that they're just ignoring him.
