Japanese Sound-Japanese Sound-Symbolic ExpressionsSymbolic Expressions

Joshua ColeJoshua Cole

JPN494/598JPN494/598

Spring 2007Spring 2007

ObjectivesObjectives

In this presentation I will:In this presentation I will: Define sound symbolism and give examples of Define sound symbolism and give examples of

different types of sound symbolismdifferent types of sound symbolism Give examples of some common patterns Japanese Give examples of some common patterns Japanese

sound-symbolic expressions follow and show how sound-symbolic expressions follow and show how they evolved over timethey evolved over time

Give examples of historical uses/usage trends in Give examples of historical uses/usage trends in Japanese literatureJapanese literature

Discuss the lifespan of Japanese sound-symbolic Discuss the lifespan of Japanese sound-symbolic expressionsexpressions

What is Sound What is Sound Symbolism?Symbolism?

Words that sound like what they meanWords that sound like what they mean Three Three major major types in Japanesetypes in Japanese

PhonomimesPhonomimes PhenomimesPhenomimes PsychomimesPsychomimes

Types of Sound Types of Sound SymbolismSymbolism

Phonomimes (Onomatopoeia): “words Phonomimes (Onomatopoeia): “words which imitate the sounds made by which imitate the sounds made by animate or inanimate objects” (Ono animate or inanimate objects” (Ono vv)) 擬音語（擬音語（ giongogiongo ）：）：’’ sound’ onomatopoeia sound’ onomatopoeia

(inanimate)(inanimate) Examples: snap, crackle, popExamples: snap, crackle, pop

擬声語（擬声語（ giseigogiseigo ）：）：’’ voice’ onomatopoeia voice’ onomatopoeia (animate)(animate) Examples: whinny, meow, mooExamples: whinny, meow, moo

Types of Sound Types of Sound SymbolismSymbolism

Phenomimes [Phenomimes [ 擬態語（擬態語（ gitaigogitaigo ）） ]: ]: “words which express in descriptive and “words which express in descriptive and symbolic terms the states or conditions of symbolic terms the states or conditions of both animate and inanimate objects, and both animate and inanimate objects, and of change, phenomena, movement, of change, phenomena, movement, growth, etc. in nature” (Ono growth, etc. in nature” (Ono v)v) Possible examples (?): twinkle, glitter, Possible examples (?): twinkle, glitter,

shimmershimmer

Types of Sound Types of Sound SymbolismSymbolism

Psychomimes [Psychomimes [ 擬情語（擬情語（ gijôgogijôgo ）） ]: ]: words which express in descriptive and words which express in descriptive and symbolic terms human emotion/feelings symbolic terms human emotion/feelings or psychological statesor psychological states Possible examples (?): blah, icky, woozyPossible examples (?): blah, icky, woozy

ExampleExamples of Js of Japaneseapanese Sound SymbolismSound Symbolism

PhonomimePhonomime うっ（うっ（ uttutt ）） : Expresses a gasping sound or action. A short : Expresses a gasping sound or action. A short

groaning or growling sound. [e.g., groaning or growling sound. [e.g., ガス臭い。思わずガス臭い。思わずうっうっと息をと息をとめた。 とめた。 (It smelt of gas. Without thinking, I (It smelt of gas. Without thinking, I held my breathheld my breath.)].)]

PhenomimePhenomime ぷんぷん（ぷんぷん（ pun-punpun-pun ）） : Describes a strong enveloping smell. : Describes a strong enveloping smell.

[e.g., [e.g., この花はこの花はぷんぷんぷんぷんにおう。 におう。 (This flower gives off a (This flower gives off a strongstrong smell.)] smell.)]

PsychomimePsychomime のんびり（のんびり（ nonbirinonbiri ）） : To be in a calm, tranquil state, both : To be in a calm, tranquil state, both

physically and mentally. [e.g., physically and mentally. [e.g., 若いうちのほうが、若いうちのほうが、のんびりのんびりしして、気ままな暮らしをしやすい。 て、気ままな暮らしをしやすい。 (Just (Just relaxingrelaxing and living and living freely is easier when one is young.)]freely is easier when one is young.)]

Common ConstructionsCommon Constructions

RootRoot One-syllable root AOne-syllable root A Two-syllable root ABTwo-syllable root AB

May be followed by May be followed by と（と（ toto ）） Required: forms ending in the Required: forms ending in the 促音（促音（ sokuonsokuon ）） Optional: Forms ending in the Optional: Forms ending in the 発音（発音（ hatsuonhatsuon ） ） or or

り（り（ riri ）） ABAB form usually not followed by ABAB form usually not followed by とと

Commonly used as an adverbCommonly used as an adverb ABAB form sometimes used as an adjectiveABAB form sometimes used as an adjective

Common ConstructionsCommon Constructions::One-syllable root AOne-syllable root A

AA （ふ）（ふ） AA ッ（ぎゅっ）ッ（ぎゅっ） AA ン（ぽん）ン（ぽん） AA －（ちゅー）－（ちゅー）

AAAA （ここ）（ここ） AA ッッ AA （さっさ）（さっさ） AA ッッ AA ッ（へっッ（へっ

へっ）へっ） AA ンン AA ン（るんるン（るんる

ん）ん） AA －－ AA －（かー－（かー

かー）かー）

Common ConstructionsCommon Constructions::Two-syllable root ABTwo-syllable root AB

ABAB （がば）（がば） ABAB ッ（むかっ）ッ（むかっ） ABAB ン（どかん）ン（どかん） ABAB リ（とろり）リ（とろり） AA ッッ BB リ（ぴったり）リ（ぴったり） AA ンン BB リ（うんざり）リ（うんざり）

ABABABAB （そろそろ）（そろそろ） ABBABB （きりり）（きりり）

Common Constructions Common Constructions HistoricallyHistorically

Nara (8 forms)Nara (8 forms) Heian (4 new forms)Heian (4 new forms)

Introduction of Introduction of 撥音（撥音（ hatsuonhatsuon ン） ン） as as うう ?? リ リ over over ロ／ラロ／ラ

Kamakura/Muromachi (22 new forms)Kamakura/Muromachi (22 new forms) Introduction of Introduction of 促音（促音（ sokuon sokuon ッ）、長音（ッ）、長音（ chô’on chô’on

－）－） Edo (9 new forms)Edo (9 new forms) Meiji – Present (12 new forms)Meiji – Present (12 new forms)

Common Common ConstructionsConstructions::ConclusionsConclusions

Frequent use ofFrequent use of ： ： 促音（促音（ sokuon sokuon ッ）ッ） 撥音（撥音（ hatsuonhatsuon ン）ン） 長音（長音（ chô’on chô’on －）－）

ABAB most commonly used formABAB most commonly used form

Historical Use of Japanese Historical Use of Japanese Sound SymbolismSound Symbolism

万葉集（万葉集（ Man’yôshûMan’yôshû) (c. 759)) (c. 759) Conjecture: earliest known use?Conjecture: earliest known use? Example: Example: 「この床の「この床のひしひしと鳴るまで」（一三・三二七〇）と鳴るまで」（一三・三二七〇）

ひし→ぎしぎし、みしみし（ひし→ぎしぎし、みしみし（ to creakto creak ）） 古今和歌集（古今和歌集（ Kokin wakashûKokin wakashû ） ） (c. 920)(c. 920)

Some examples of sound symbolism used as Some examples of sound symbolism used as 掛詞（掛詞（ kakekotobakakekotoba ）） Example: Example: 「ひとりして　物をおもへば　秋の田の　稲葉の「ひとりして　物をおもへば　秋の田の　稲葉のそよそよとと

　いう人のなき」　いう人のなき」 そよ（そよ（ gentle swaying motiongentle swaying motion ） ） & & 其よ（＝そうですよ）其よ（＝そうですよ）

源氏物語（源氏物語（ Genji monogatariGenji monogatari ） ） (1021)(1021) Novel use of sound-symbolic expressions in descriptions of particular Novel use of sound-symbolic expressions in descriptions of particular

characters in the storycharacters in the story Example: Example: 「あざあざ」（色彩が鮮明で目の覚めるような派手やか「あざあざ」（色彩が鮮明で目の覚めるような派手やか

さ）さ） is used only in descriptions of Lady Murasakiis used only in descriptions of Lady Murasaki

Historical Usage Trends Historical Usage Trends in Literaturein Literature

Usage increases over timeUsage increases over time 古代（古代（ KodaiKodai ））

源氏物語（源氏物語（ Genji monogatariGenji monogatari ）： ）： 33 instances33 instances 今昔物語集（今昔物語集（ Konjyaku monogatarishûKonjyaku monogatarishû ）： ）： 55 instances55 instances

中世（中世（ ChûseiChûsei ）） Selected Selected 軍記物語（軍記物語（ Gunki monogatariGunki monogatari ）： ）： 112 instances112 instances

近代（近代（ KindaiKindai ）） 我輩は猫である（我輩は猫である（ Wagahai wa neko de aruWagahai wa neko de aru ）： ）： 261 instances261 instances

1/10 length of Genji1/10 length of Genji79x more dense79x more dense 細雪（細雪（ SasameyukiSasameyuki ）： ）： 305 instances305 instances

1/3 length of Genji1/3 length of Genji27x more dense27x more dense

Conjecture: Japanese sound symbolic expressions always used in Conjecture: Japanese sound symbolic expressions always used in speech, usage in literature increased as differences between speech, usage in literature increased as differences between written Japanese became more like spoken Japanesewritten Japanese became more like spoken Japanese （言文一（言文一致）致）

Lifespan of Japanese Sound-Lifespan of Japanese Sound-Symbolic ExpressionsSymbolic Expressions

Question: Are Japanese sound-symbolic Question: Are Japanese sound-symbolic expressions only in vogue for a short expressions only in vogue for a short time, or do they have some staying time, or do they have some staying power?power?

Short answer: It dependsShort answer: It depends

Examining the Examining the 今昔物語集今昔物語集（（ Konjyaku Konjyaku monogatarishûmonogatarishû ））

53% of the sound-symbolic expressions in this work have survived 53% of the sound-symbolic expressions in this work have survived to the present day (i.e., their meanings have not changed)to the present day (i.e., their meanings have not changed)

Total rises to 58% when you take into account the addition of Total rises to 58% when you take into account the addition of 促音 促音 & & 長音 長音 to the Japanese language and alter the expressions to the Japanese language and alter the expressions accordinglyaccordingly 促音：「散と」→「さっと」 促音：「散と」→「さっと」 (extremely quick, adroit movement)(extremely quick, adroit movement) 長音：「ギ」→「ギー」 長音：「ギ」→「ギー」 (low creaking)(low creaking)

Even among the 42% of expressions no longer used, with minor Even among the 42% of expressions no longer used, with minor alterations some correspond to modern-day formsalterations some correspond to modern-day forms ABABABABBABA: BABA: 「ツブツブ」→「ブツブツ」 「ツブツブ」→「ブツブツ」 (cutting into a thick (cutting into a thick

object)object) voicelessvoicelessvoiced: voiced: 「ツブリ」→「ヅブリ」→「ズブリ」 「ツブリ」→「ヅブリ」→「ズブリ」 (splashing, (splashing,

sinking into water)sinking into water)

Changes in Expression Changes in Expression Usage over 30 YearsUsage over 30 Years

Increase in number of electronic soundsIncrease in number of electronic sounds Goes hand in hand with proliferation of Goes hand in hand with proliferation of

electronic devices (personal computers, cell electronic devices (personal computers, cell phones, microwave ovens, etc.)phones, microwave ovens, etc.)

Decrease in “natural” soundsDecrease in “natural” sounds Wooden sliding doorsWooden sliding doorsmetal sliding doorsmetal sliding doors Glass bottlesGlass bottlesPlastic bottlesPlastic bottles

Changes in Expression Changes in Expression Usage over 30 YearsUsage over 30 Years

Less emphasis on expressions denoting Less emphasis on expressions denoting slow, relaxed actionsslow, relaxed actions

More emphasis on expressions denoting More emphasis on expressions denoting quick, dynamic actionsquick, dynamic actions

Conjecture: reflective of a more fast-Conjecture: reflective of a more fast-paced society?paced society?

Emphasis on Quick, Emphasis on Quick, Dynamic Actions: Dynamic Actions: ExampleExample

Lifespan of Japanese Sound-Lifespan of Japanese Sound-Symbolic Expressions: Symbolic Expressions: ConclusionsConclusions

““Short term”: fairly dynamicShort term”: fairly dynamic Words used reflect the Words used reflect the

environment/conditions of the timeenvironment/conditions of the time

““Long term”: surprisingly staticLong term”: surprisingly static Once introduced meanings of surviving Once introduced meanings of surviving

words don’t change much over timewords don’t change much over time

ResourcesResources

大坪併治，「象徴語彙の歴史」，森岡健二編者，大坪併治，「象徴語彙の歴史」，森岡健二編者，『『講座日本語学・４講座日本語学・４――語彙史語彙史』』，東京：明治書院，，東京：明治書院，　１９８２，２２８－２５０．　１９８２，２２８－２５０．

尾野秀一編著，尾野秀一編著，『『日英擬音・擬態語活用辞典日英擬音・擬態語活用辞典』』，東，東京：北星堂書店，１９８４．京：北星堂書店，１９８４．

鈴木雅子，「むかしの擬音語・擬態語」，鈴木雅子，「むかしの擬音語・擬態語」，『『言語言語生活生活』』，第１７１号，１２／１９６５，６０－６５．，第１７１号，１２／１９６５，６０－６５．

山口仲美，山口仲美，『『犬は「びよ」と鳴いていた犬は「びよ」と鳴いていた――日本語日本語は擬音語・擬態語が面白いは擬音語・擬態語が面白い』』，東京：光文社，２，東京：光文社，２００２．００２．

Wikipedia article on “Sound Symbolism”, Wikipedia article on “Sound Symbolism”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_symbolismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_symbolism