KKC Theory Wiki

Simmon May Have Naming Potential, Hearing the Name of the Wind

plausible identity · popularity 91 · 1 source thread

Sim hears 'wind' when Elodin speaks the name of the wind, the same sign that marks naming potential in others.

About: Simmon, Naming

Also involves: Elodin, Kvothe, Elxa Dal, The University

The theory§

This theory holds that Simmon possesses latent naming ability. In NOTW, when Elodin speaks the name of the wind to steady Kvothe's mind after Kvothe first calls the wind, Simmon hears something and asks 'What? Wind?'. In WMF, when Elxa Dal demonstrates the name of fire, Kvothe reports hearing 'fire', and Dal tells him that hearing anything at all when a name is spoken is a good sign. By that standard, Simmon hearing the name of the wind would likewise mark naming potential. The objection is that Elodin, present at the moment, never remarked on it nor invited Simmon to his naming seminar, which could mean an unseen interaction passed between them, that Simmon's potential is too slight, or that a non-Namer's mind simply autocorrects a heard Name into the nearest familiar word rather than truly perceiving it.

Evidence§

  • In NotW Ch 84 when Elodin is stabilizing Kvothe's mind after he first speaks the name of the wind Elodin says "earl evsedi" … to which Sim responds with "What? Wind?"
    OP's core observation: Sim hears the name of the wind when Elodin speaks it. — u/jelezsoccer
  • Later in WMF Ch 22 when Elxa Dal is demonstrating the use of the name of fire to Kvothe, Kvothe hears him say "fire" to which Master Dal says "the fact that you heard me say anything is a good sign."
    Establishes the standard: hearing a Name spoken signals naming potential. — u/jelezsoccer
  • So I guess since Sim heard Elodin that must also be a good sign.
    OP applies the Dal standard to conclude Sim shows the same good sign. — u/jelezsoccer
  • This is a really good catch, the only flaw I can see is that Elodin was there and didn't make any comment on it, nor did he invite him to be part of his naming class.
    CounterCounter: Elodin witnessed it yet never remarked or recruited Sim. — u/AndyF1996
  • It's obviously possible that Sim has had a whole off screen interaction with Elodin leading to him not being invited
    Refines the counter: an unseen interaction could explain the lack of invite. — u/AndyF1996
  • Well correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure it’s established that when someone speaks a Name, non-Namer’s minds like autocorrect it to the closest thing in their language.
    CounterCounter: a non-Namer's mind autocorrects a Name into a familiar word. — u/C0dysseus
  • Dal straight up explains to Kvothe why he hears "fire" instead of it's true name after he sticks his hand in a brazier. On that note, Sim's mind couldn't comprehend the name of wind and so his brain translated it to just "wind".
    CounterCounter reinforced: Sim's hearing 'wind' is mere translation, not potential. — u/Living_at_Last
  • studying the name of the Wind is the traditional path for a namer's first name … And considering he seems to have the first bit of understanding of the name of the wind, why shouldn't that be a name he learns?
    Support: the wind is the traditional first name, fitting Sim's progress. — u/FaeAura

Book refs: NOTW ch 84, WMF ch 22

Tier reasoning§

tier holds: two textual quotes support a reasonable inference

Contributors§

Source threads§