Sound symbolism in deictic words
نویسنده
چکیده
It is shown that pairs of demonstratives in which there is a vocalic opposition have an advantage in their struggle for existence in languages when F2’ is higher in the proximal than in the distal form. It is also shown that nasals are preferred in first person pronouns while stops and other obstruents are preferred in second person pronouns. Explanations are suggested for both findings. They involve affinities with the association of pitch with size, the proprioceptive qualities of speech sounds, and oral pointing gestures. (Summary of paper to appear in K. Auli and P. av Trampe (eds.) Tongues and Texts Unlimited, 1996).
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