It depends on the story - Bee not being able to speak in stuff like Bumblebee or Cyberverse or TF07 works bc Bee not being able to speak is part of the story. It doesn’t work for stuff like TF: Prime bc he becomes kinda stale as a result, or FOC because it’s mentioned once and then Bumblebee is basically not there until the end so it feels pointless.

BUT when Bee gets to talk and actually be a character with a (relatively) complex personality, I usually find that this is when Bumblebee as a character stands out more. Animated, comics, parts of Cyberverse, I feel like I actually get to know who Bee is.

Personally if I were telling a TF story I would start with Bumblebee being able to speak, and if the story calls for him being made mute or if it can be done in a unique or interesting way then I would go through with it.

 

@Scrapmaker posted a really cool idea in another thread, so I'll just quote it here:

 

Also argeed, with the note that his repair shouldn't have been immediate, but happening throughout the movie. A rage, broken up incomplete sentence at some pivotal moment.

I thought him being mute in the 07 movie was an interesting take, although perhaps a bit too much like the minicons in the Unicron trilogy. But anything and everything after was annoying.

 

Speaking through the radio is a pretty cool characteristic in my eyes. But I also like Bumblebee being able to speak.

 

Speak, one of the worst ideas for Bumblebee to not speak.

 

The whole reason they made him not speak in the first place was because of Paramount and Micheal Bay. They thought that Transformers would not speak in general so the basis of the script was that Bumblebee couldn't reveal who he was to Sam at first. Even the sound effects for Blackout and Scorponok indicate they had no intention of making them talk except through "this sound." However, we the fans fought for the original voice actors return resulting in Peter Cullen's return as Optimus Prime. The end of the 2007 movie had Bumblebee talk. "Permission to speak sir." That should have been the end of it. It's kind of like Austin Powers's TEETH. They were fixed at the end of the first film.

It was still a poor choice at the end of the day though. Instead of rooting for the kid brother Autobot scout who hangs out with Spike, you pity the Mute Junkion Warrior that is treated like a DOG by Sam.

 

It's becoming a cliche now, but it should only be done when it benefits the characters. Otherwise, it's illogical to keep him mute.

 

He should have always been able to speak. Bayverse had these things able to burst themselves into a million little pieces to transform, and instantly change their form for multiple alt modes, but they can't repair a voice box. He can fabricate himself a radio in the car that plays different sounds but can only play stuff from the air. Why not generate your own sound waves?

It was okay for one movie, but then it just became a character trait, and it's stupid, so I'm going to nerd pick the shit out of the scifi.

 

Also, welcome to the boards, mate.

 

I think it mostly depends on the particular story and the context surrounding it. I personally don't mind mute Bee...there are other speaking characters who can fill the role of "young talkative guy" if need be. Hot Shot, Hot Rod, Cheetor. Being mute does give him a distinct role. That being said, I do think mute Bee is getting a bit old.

 

Death to muted bumblebee!