Universals in the usage of and attitudes to onomatopoeia

Abstract: This study compares the usage of- and attitudes towards sound imitating expressions, onomatopoeia, in English and Japanese. It looks at previous research on onomatopoeia conducted on English and Japanese to establish a working definition for onomatopoeia and a categorization of the types of meanings each expression can have. With the help of indications provided by previous research two questionnaires, one for English speakers and one for Japanese speakers, were created. The questionnaires featured scale-grading, alternative and open-ended questions where the informants were asked a variety of questions on their usage and attitudes towards onomatopoeia. 29 English speakers and 24 Japanese speakers completed each questionnaire and their answers were then organized into charts and tables for analysis. Two English informants and two Japanese speakers were asked a few follow-up questions in a short interview. The study concludes that onomatopoeia are used mainly in informal contexts for the purpose of providing a more vivid and clear picture. Informants consider them to be a bit childish yet emotive and expressive. These characteristics tend to be experienced more strongly when the meaning of the onomatopoeia is closely connected to the onomatopoeia and less so when the connection is more metaphorical. A deeper understanding of patterns like these may help facilitate learning English or Japanese as a second language more effectively.