sound symbolism
The concept of 'sound symbolism' explores how certain sounds in language naturally relate to the meanings they convey.
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Definition
C1Linguistics
(academic, technical)The idea that certain sounds in speech naturally convey specific meanings.
Example
- In many languages, high-pitched sounds are often associated with smallness, which is an example of sound symbolism.
C1Linguistics
(academic)The phenomenon where the sound of a word intuitively suggests its meaning.
Example
- Words like 'buzz' and 'meow' are classic examples of sound symbolism.