Iconicity Atlas
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Language (dialect):
 
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Instructions:

  • Please read the instruction and the questions carefully;
  • Abbreviations int., n. and v. stand for interjection (e.g., ha-ha), noun (e.g., laughter) and verb (e.g., laugh) respectively;
  • If your language has ideophones[*]Ideophone is ‘a vivid representation of an idea in sound; a word, often onomatopoeic, which describes a predicate, qualificative or adverb in respect to manner, color, sound, smell, action, state or intensity’ (Doke 1935)., please enter them under interjection, adding (id.) in parentheses;
  • Your answers should NOT be a direct translation of the name of the concept given in the first column – the name of the concept is just an umbrella term for a group of words related by meaning (e.g., under LAUGH English giggle, guffaw, snigger etc. are grouped);
  • There may be more than one answer possible (e.g., for the concept LAUGH you may enter (int.) ha-ha, ho-ho, (n.) laughter, giggle, snigger etc. separated by commas);
  • It is possible that your language may not contain words denoting all the listed concepts, or the concepts might not be expressed by certain parts of speech (most probably, there would be no interjection); in this case, please, indicate the absence of a word by a dash ‘—’;
  • One word can define several concepts (e.g., English cry is used to denote two concepts – WHEEP and SHOUT);
  • You are most welcome to give your own comments on the usage or origin of the words in the section ‘Comments’.
  • If your language uses an alphabet other than Latin or other writing systems (e.g. hieroglyphs), please provide a transcription. If you have never transcribed the words in your language and/or not sure how to do the transcription, provide only the written form of the word.



N Name of iconic concept Question(s) Answer(s) Comments
11. CHIRR
grasshopper 		How do you imitate the trilled sound characteristic of grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets, or similar insects? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)? Please, specify the insect in the Comments.
int.
n.
v.
12. CHOKE
stifle 		How do you imitate a sound one produces when having trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking (especially if something is blocking the windpipe)? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
13. CHOP
wood, meat 		How do you imitate an abrupt sharp sound produced while hacking something (e.g. with an axe or other sharp tool)? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name such an action?
int.
n.
v.
14. CLAP
applaud 		How do you imitate and name the sound and the act of clapping or applauding, especially to express approval?
int.
n.
v.
15. CLASH
metal 		How do you imitate a loud harsh jarring sound, as of crashing metal objects (e.g., by smashing or colliding of vehicles)? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
16. CLICK
switch 		How do you imitate a short sharp sound, as produced by two hard objects being lightly struck against each other, or by operating a switch)? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
17. COO
pigeon, dove 		How do you imitate a soft murmuring sound of a pigeon or a dove? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
18. COUGH
heck 		How do you imitate a harsh noise of expelling the air from the lungs with a more or less violent effort? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
19. CRACKLE
fire 		How do you imitate a sharp sound made by logs in the fire? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.
20. CREAK
stairs, hinge 		How do you imitate a harsh shrill grating sound, as a hinge or axle turning with undue friction? How do you name such sound(s)? How do you name the action of producing such sound(s)?
int.
n.
v.























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