Higher order factors of sound symbolism

Sound symbolism refers to associations between certain language sounds (i.e., phonemes) and perceptual and/or semantic properties. Crucially, the different of a phoneme do not appear be wholly independent. For instance, /i/ is associated with sharpness, smallness brightness. Previous work has shown that these properties are all related one another (Walker et al., 2012). This suggests higher order factors may underlie sound symbolic associations. In Experiment 1 we measured 25 phonemes found clustered according of: activity, valence, potency novelty. addition, were go along factors. Then, in Experiments 2a 2b, demonstrated can play role abstract shape stimuli. Together results characterize contribute our understanding mechanisms underlying symbolism.