Phonosemantics #
or Sound Symbolism or Фоносемантика or Лингвистический ИКонизм/ЛИК
“Phonosemantics, also known as sound symbolism, is the study of how the sounds of words can be associated with their meanings or the concepts they represent. It explores the idea that certain sounds evoke specific feelings or impressions, influencing how we perceive words and their meanings”
Key Concepts #
Sound Symbolism:
The fundamental idea that sounds themselves can carry meaning or evoke associations, even beyond the specific semantic definition of a word.
Phonestheme:
A sub-morphemic sequence of sounds (like “wr” in “wry” or “br” in “break”) that is often associated with a specific range of meanings, according to a paper on www.trismegistos.com.
Linguistic Iconism:
The general principle that the form of a linguistic sign (like a word) can reflect its meaning, as sound symbolism does.
Examples #
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The sound of “k” in words like “kick,” “knife,” or “knob” can be associated with sharp or pointed objects, while the sound of “m” in “milk,” “smooth,” or “mellow” can evoke roundness and softness.
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Words starting with “b” are often associated with loud or abrupt sounds, like “boom,” “bang,” or “burst,” as explained by www.trismegistos.com.
Historical Context #
- The concept of phonosemantics has been explored since the 18th century, with Russian polymath Mikhail Lomonosov proposing that certain vowel sounds were associated with specific emotional tones.
- A paper on www.trismegistos.com also explores how the sounds of words can be analyzed into combinations of phonesthemes to explain their meanings, using the example of “sparkle”.
- However, Ferdinand de Saussure, a prominent linguist, argued that the relationship between words and their meanings is largely arbitrary, according to WordPress.com.
Applications #
Neologism Generation:
Understanding phonosemantics can help in creating new words for marketing or other purposes, as described by bloggingbrute.com.
Emotional Influence:
The persuasive power of sounds in writing and other forms of communication can be leveraged by understanding phonosemantics.
Linguistic Analysis:
Phonosemantics offers a unique perspective on the relationship between sound and meaning in languages, contributing to a deeper understanding of linguistic structures, according to Academia.edu.
References (mostly ru) #
Воронин, Станислав Васильевич. Основы фоносемантики.
Журавлев А.П. Звук и смысл. М.: Просвещение, 1991. 160 с.
Журавлев А.П. Диалог с компьютером. М.: Молодая гвардия, 1987. Серия «Эврика»
Журавлев А.П. Язык и компьютер. Книга для учащихся старших классов средней школы. Авторы: А.П. Журавлев, Н.А. Павлюк. М.: «Просвещение», 1989.
Велемир Хлебников.
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