In the fields of phonetics, phonology, and prosodics, the study of human speech involves analyzing the sounds produced and received. These sounds can be examined in terms of their production and reception, or in relation to their meanings. In this article, we will explore the concept of sound symbolism and its role in connecting sounds and meanings. From its definition to its various types, we will delve into the fascinating world of sound symbolism.
Sound symbolism is a linguistic concept that describes the association between sounds and their meanings. It falls under the category of linguistic iconicity and semiotics, which link icons or signs (such as letters or words) to their meanings. For example, the word 'ding' imitates the sound of a bell ringing, creating a sense of iconicity. Semiotics, a field of study pioneered by American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce and Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, looks at how signs (such as text, images, and colors) create meaning in different contexts. De Saussure proposed the idea that every sign consists of two components: the signifier, which represents the concept or meaning, and the signified, which interprets the meaning of the signifier. For instance, a red traffic light is a signifier for 'stop'.
While linguistic iconicity explores the relationship between linguistic symbols (such as letters and words) and their meanings, sound symbolism suggests a resemblance between the signifier and the signified. For example, repeating the word 'bounce' can almost create the sound of a bouncing ball, demonstrating a connection between the sound and its meaning. This challenges the traditional notion that the link between sounds and symbols is arbitrary, showing that some words do represent their meanings. For instance, certain sounds can convey concepts of smallness, bounciness, or softness.
Linguist David Crystal once conducted an experiment to demonstrate our association between sounds and meanings. By naming two alien races, one with soft-sounding words and the other with harsh sounds, most people assumed the former to be the friendly group. This highlights the influence of sound symbolism on our perception of words and meanings. It is also worth noting that sound symbolism is sometimes referred to as sound meaningfulness or phonetic symbolism.
A crucial concept in learning to read, write, and speak is sound-symbol correspondence. This refers to the connection between sounds and their corresponding symbols. For instance, the sound /f/ can be represented by various graphemes such as 'f,' 'ph,' or 'gh'. This lays the foundation for sound symbolism, as before we can use a language, we must first learn its sounds and symbols and commit them to our long-term memory. As Ferdinand de Saussure stated, most symbols and sounds have an arbitrary connection, and it is through learning that we associate them with each other.
The concept of sound-symbol correspondence is often viewed as an arbitrary relationship; however, some theorists suggest that certain sounds bear a resemblance or familiarity to the concepts they represent, known as sound symbolism. Below are some examples of sound symbolism and its various types.
Sound symbolism is a fascinating concept in linguistics that delves into the link between speech sounds and their associated meanings. From onomatopoeia to the bouba/kiki effect, various examples demonstrate how sounds can have a natural connection to the ideas they represent.
The Bouba/Kiki Effect
The bouba/kiki effect is a well-known theory in sound symbolism, first introduced by psychologist Wolfgang Köhler in 1929. In his experiments, participants were asked to match non-words with images, and he found that sounds with front or close vowels, like /i/ or /e/, and harder consonants, like "takete," were associated with spikey shapes. In contrast, sounds with back or open vowels, like /u/ or /a/, and softer consonants, like "baluba," were linked to rounded shapes.
In 2001, researchers Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and Edward Hubbard replicated Köhler's study using the words "bouba" and "kiki" and presenting two images:
Insert image of bouba/kiki experiment
They asked English and Tamil speakers to match the words with an image, and over 95% of participants associated the spikey image with "kiki" and the rounded image with "bouba". This experiment demonstrates that the human brain has a natural tendency to connect certain sounds with specific images, regardless of language.
The Concept of Sound-Symbol Correspondence
In linguistics, sound-symbol correspondence refers to the relationship between speech sounds and their corresponding symbols. This concept explains why certain words or sounds can sound like they represent specific concepts.
Why Sound Symbolism Matters
Sound symbolism is crucial in understanding how we instinctually perceive and connect with words and their meanings, without prior exposure to them.
Sound Symbolism vs. Arbitrariness
Linguistics often consider speech sounds and their meanings to be arbitrary. However, sound symbolism shows that in some cases, there may be a natural or intuitive connection between a sound and its associated meaning.
Examples of Sound Symbolism
Onomatopoeia, such as "buzz" or "hiss," is one of the most common forms of sound symbolism, where words imitate the sounds they represent. Another example is the bouba/kiki effect, where specific sounds are linked to particular shapes, as seen with "bouba" and "kiki".
