Universtiy of Zagreb

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of English

Lexicology and Lexicography

Ph.D. Vlatko Broz

Nikolina Marković

Importance of Onomatopoeia
Contrastive analysis of sound words
in English and French

25 January 2015

Table of Contents
1. Introduction...................................................................................2

2. Definitions.....................................................................................3

3. Importance of onomatopoeia........................................................6

4. Use of onomatopoeia....................................................................8

4.1. Onomatopub......................................................................................9

5. Types of onomatopoeia..............................................................10

5.1. Animal sounds....................................................................................10

5.1.1. Rooster and chicken sounds in English....................................11

5.2. Human sounds....................................................................................13

6. Conclusion..................................................................................16

7. Works cited.................................................................................17

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 1. Introduction

The close and interwoven relationship between English and French

languages during the course of history has resulted in many influences that are

visible through the similarities in their vocabulary and by the phonetic aspects of

some of their words. Based on the examples presented in this paper, an analysis

of the meaning and the origin of onomatopoeia will be carried out thoroughly.

Moreover, the illustration of the ways in which the same sounds can produce

different onomatopoeias in two languages will be provided with explanation.

2. Definitions

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 The question of onomatopoeia causes a lot of discord in the field of

linguistics precisely because, on the one hand, its concept seems fairly simple,

yet on the other hand, it is barely possible to describe. The best way to approach

any subject of a study is to start from the basics. Therefore, after consulting the

Etymological Dictionary of Modern English (Weekley, 1967), I found that the word

onomatopoeia comes from Greek ὄνομα for ‘name’ and ποιέω for ‘I make’, which

makes it a compound noun with the meaning of ‘the making of a name’, or ‘the

name-making.’ Thus, the essential concept comes down to ˝the formation of a

word with a resemblance in sound to the thing signified.˝ (Skeet, 1993)

Moreover, if we wish to consider onomatopoeia in greater depth, we are

faced with a more complex situation. This is how Bredin, the author of

Onomatopoeia as a Figure and a Linguistic Principle, puts it:

˝…while everyone agrees that onomatopoeia is the name of a relationship

between the sound of a word and something else, there are divergent views

both on the second term of the relationship and on the nature of the relation

itself. The second term of the relation is variously referred to as sounds,

sense, referent, and what is denoted. The relation that obtains between the

two terms generates an extensive and heterogeneous collection of names:

imitates, echoes, reflects, resembles, corresponds to, sounds like, expresses,

reinforces, and has a natural or direct relation with.˝

Now, in order to proceed with the study we will have to opt for one of the

nuances that fit with our perception of onomatopoeia the best. For this purpose, I

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choose to address this particular phenomenon in the pages that follow as ‘the

direct expression of sound, action or status’.

3. Importance of onomatopoeia

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 Appearing for the first time most likely as the simplest form of communication,

it can be concluded that this concept has been around for thousands of years.

Tearing its origin from the primitive times, onomatopoeia was the very tool that

allowed a basic message communication between humans. In other words,

onomatopoeia most certainly played a significant part for the survival and

successful development of our species.

Today, it can be considered a very important component of the second

language acquisition. On the web page of the Yale University 1, a very interesting

example of the means of incorporating onomatopoeia to children’s language

learning has been presented in the following way:

˝Since onomatopoeia is a form of poetry with sound words as it focus,

children will have very little difficulty in creating a word that imitates the

sound it represents. This perception of sound can be demonstrated

through instruction of simple songs. […] Old favorites such as ‘Old

MacDonald Had A Farm’ and ‘The Wheels On The Bus’ are songs among

a few others that young children love to sing. Their perceptions of these

songs are realistic enough for them to understand. The rhythms of these

songs have a repetitive pattern that young children can follow and retain

long after the song is over. The power of music and reading sound poetry

is a lesson taught that many ‘youngsters’ have yet to realize. Singing

simple songs and visually displaying what sound words look like,

1
Yale New Haven Teacher’s Insitute (2015) http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2000/5/

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 incorporates and gradually produces a level of reading, writing, and

speaking that children can successfully master.˝

What is intended to be emphasized in the text above is that onomatopoeia can

be a perfect instrument for the most natural way of language acquisition for

children, be it their first or second language. Out of this premise we can deduce

that this kind of introduction to a foreign language can be of much use for

teenagers and adults as well. Learning to experience the sounds of another

language though the eyes of the native speaker, must have a large positive

impact to the process of understanding the reality of the language in focus. It is

because onomatopoeia is more than a word (it can as well be an expression of

feeling through a sigh, cry or shout), that its examination is of major importance

in the understanding of the development of communication.

4. Use of onomatopoeia

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 For we have previously opted for the definition that classifies onomatopoeia

as a word or a group of words expressing sounds, actions or status directly, let

us now continue our research by adding a more wider context of its cultural

importance and use.

Truth be told, some languages are more abundant in onomatopoeic sounds than

the others. English and French are somewhat in the middle on the scale of

already mentioned abundance, but a more extreme example of onomatopoeic

richness is Japanese.2

But it would be a misconception to say that there is no such richness in

English and French. The use of onomatopoeia is indeed widespread, although

we might not be able to put our finger on it. Some may argue that the sound

imitating words are only used in children’s books and comics, but if we observe

the world around us more carefully, we will realize that we are in fact being

bombarded with this particular kind of expressions every day. We encounter the

advertisements, traffic signs and product names that grab our attention

effortlessly with a little assistance of onomatopoeic sounds.

Thus, we have une publicité (an advertisement) in French saying: ˝ET HOP!

ET ZOU! ET TOC! Vous avez change d’air bancaire˝, explaining how quickly it is

possible to change your banking account at their place. Not only that the French

use a great deal of onomatopoeia in their advertisements, but they have as well

created a word for it: onomatopub. Let me present you another one of its

examples, with the image that follows.

2
The Japanese have even classified two distinct categories of onomatopoeia; the words that
express voice or sounds are called giongo, and the words that express actions, states or human
emotions gitango. (Asaga, Ch., et al., 2008)

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 4.1. Onomatopub

Source: La plume à poil (2014), Langue de pub. Onomatopée ‘Salvelat’. Web.

Despite the fact that the add is fairly expressive, allow me to provide you with the

complete context. Salvetat is a French brand of natural water that used the very

sound of the water sparkling after the opening of a bottle to sell its consumers the

story of a peaceful doze under the pine shadows in the summer.

Similar patterns are often found in English as well. We may take the example

of the famous Kerplunk game dating from the 60s, whose name originated from

the sound that the marble makes when it falls through the tubes, that has proven

to be a great success. Thus, the power of onomatopoeia in marketing is

indisputable.

5. Types of onomatopoeia

As well as for the characterization of onomatopoeia, there is no general

consent about its classification either. Most commonly, it is suggested that there

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are several subgroups of onomatopoeia according to their origin and use – in

other words; we have animal sounds, sounds related to the human bodily

functions, physical reactions, etc.

Let us start our research with the thorough examination of the sounds of

animals.

5.1. Animal sounds

a) Bee

On the other hand, the sound of a flying bee or mosquito is practically the same

in both languages: bzzz (French - F) and buzz (English - E).

b) Cat

Miaou and mrkgnao in French or meow in English stand for the sound a

domestic cat makes. If we pay more careful attention to the formerly mentioned

example of animal sound, we will notice that the cats meow only in the

interaction with humans, while amongst other cats they never meow or purr. To a

certain extent, this proves that they have as well developed a means of

communication of their own. A sound of a satisfied cat that is growling is

expressed with ronron (sometimes also rrr) in French, and purr In English.

c) Chicken and rooster

A sound of a chuckling chicken can either be expressed with cloc cloc (or

sometimes, cloucque) in French, or cluck cluck in English. Also, a chicken that

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has just laid its eggs or is sensing danger will call cot cot cot cot codec (F), or

kuh-kuh-kuh-kuh-kack (E). What is more, onomatopoeia of a young chicken’s cry

in French is piou piou while, in English, it is cheep.

5.1.1. Rooster and chicken sounds in English

Source: Grace Maccarone, Oink! Moo! How do you do?, Story Corner. n.d.

On the other hand, a rooster’s song is described with a word cocorico (F) or

cock-a-doodle-doo (E), as the later is visible from the illustration above.

d) Cricket

A cricket song is described with kic kic kic (F) or chirp (E).

e) Cuckoo

Another very interesting example revolves around a specific kind of bird infamous

for its habit of laying the eggs in some other bird’s nest. This bird is called a

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cuckoo, and its name stands for the particular sound it makes. The noun cuckoo

in English language has become a synonym for a foolish person, but is as well

used as a verb meaning ‘to repeat continually’, or, as an adjective denoting

someone silly or crazy. According to Collins’ Dictionary, the word draws its origin

from the Middle English period when it was borrowed from the old French word

coucou (or cucu) which was echoic of the bird’s cry. On the other hand, the

French use the expression coucou in everyday situations in order to say hello or

merely to mark one’s presence, as the example ˝Coucou! Nous voilà˝ shows. To

sum up, the infamous bird says cuckoo (E) or coucou (F).

f) Dog

Dogs bark ouaf ouaf and voua voua in France but woof woof and bow wow in

England and USA. The sniffing dog sounds the same in both languages: sniff or

snif snif.

g) Frog

Now, when it comes to the onomatopoeic sound a frog makes, we are faced with

two fairly distinct examples in English – croak and ribbit. The reason for this kind

of situation is relatively simple, that is, there are two species of frogs that make

different sounds; the one that croaks is more common, while the other one is

found only in North America. In other words, the French equivalent of the English

croak is croa croa, but there is no equivalent for ribbit.

h) Goat and sheep

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For denoting the bleat of a goat, sheep or calf French use the expression bé bee,

while the same is expressed in English by baa. Interestingly enough, the English

variation can be used both as a noun and as a verb.

i) Owl

The particular sound of an owl is either hou hou hou hou (F) or twit twoo, terwit

terwoo and hoo hoo (E). In French, this onomatopoeic sound is also used as an

expression of disapproval.

5.2. Human sounds

j) Exlamations and interjections

Ah is used in both English and French, meaning very much the same: joy,

surprise, impatience, etc. Aie, on the other hand, is purely French expression for

the feelings of sudden pain, with variations such as oi, yaya, yai. The English

express the same with ouch!

Furthermore, disapproval or derision is usually shown with boo (E) and

bouah (F). For shushing, we can say either chut (F) or shh (E), while to express

confusion, surprise or disbelief, it is either nasal hein? (F) or huh? (E).

What is more, to silently catch someone’s attention the English use the

interjection psst, whereas the French opt for one of the following: hem or kss

kss. When tired, people will usually pronounce something like puff or huff (E) and

ouf (F).

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k) Speech sounds

When a person is speaking in a continuous meaningless chatter, it is

described with blah-blah-blah (E) or patati patata (F). Though fairly different

expressions, the message is easily transmitted in both examples. The indistinct

manner of talking has the same expression in both languages – murmur

(murmure in F). What is interesting to note here is that both have the expression

in the form of a noun and verb. Babiller, grogner, murmuler and grommeler, all

these French verbs represent a mutter, an indistinct chatter or rumbling sounds.

In English, the following verbs can be as well listed in the category of nouns: to

mutter, to prattle, to chatter and to babble.

l) Sound effects

In the cases of camera shot – click (E), clic (F) and revving of car engine –

vroom vroom, broom broom (E), vroum vroum (F), only a slight difference in

spelling is visible. Moreover, the sound of a car horn honking is honk honk in

English as opposed to tut-tut in French. Also, an old fashioned clock goes either

tick tock (E) or tic tac (F), wheras an old fashioned phone makes one of the

following noises: ring ring, ringaling (E) and dring dring (F). What comes next is

the wailing of a siren, described with words nee naw, wee woo in English, and

pin pon in French. Last but not the least in this short list of machinery sounds is

the train example – woo woo (E), and chou chou (F).

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 Next, the sound of water dripping is plic ploc (F) or drip drop (E). It is

noticeable from the English version in last example that not only did the word for

a small portion of water come directly from its onomatopoeic sound, but the verb

‘to drip’ did as well. Furthermore, the expressions for the blowing of a wind are

numerous. The following are some of the best known examples present in

English language today: whoo, whine, whoosh, whizz, whistle, wheeze, how,l

swish, rustle, zoom, sigh, and sough. As we can see, the large majority of these

words contain the letter ‘w’. Thus, this example allows us to understand the

importance of each sound of the word when we speak of onomatopoeia. Another

thing is, the interconnection between the sounds of nature and the sounds of

letters is evident. If we only form the letter ‘w’ with our mouth and start breathing

deeply, we will hear the wind blowing from our lungs just as we have heard it

outside in the nature, which will makes us feel powerful as well. The French

language, on the other hand, has only a few words for wind-blowing: frou-

frou, vromb, and hurl.

6. Conclusion

After thorough presentation of some of the most common uses, meanings

and origins of onomatopoeia in English and French, we can conclude that a

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culture plays the major role in the formation of such expressive words. Despite

the slight differences between realizations of onomatopoeia in English and

French, this concept is by all means universal and most certainly of great

importance for the understanding of communication. Although the expressions of

onomatopoeia are not universally the same, it is its concept that is universal. To

sum up, the importance of onomatopoeic sounds lies in their variety and the

colorfulness they add to every piece of writing they are used in.

7. Works cited

Chisato Asaga et al. (2008). Progress in WWW Research and Development,

Onomatopedia –, Introduction Ochanomizu University. Tokyo. Springer link.
Web. January 21, 2015

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Miot Bernard. (1968). Dictionnaire des Onomatopées. Édition Originale. Paris

Hugh Bredin. (1996).Onomatopoeia as a Figure and a Linguistic Principle –

Excerpt New literary history. Project Muse. Web. January 21, 2015

Walter W. Skeat. (1993). The Concise Dictionary of English Etymology.

Wordsworth Editions Ltd. Kent. Google books. Web. January 21, 2015

Kevin J. Taylor. (2007). Ka-BOOM!: A Dictionary of Comic Book Words, Symbols

& Onomatopoeia. USA. Google books. Web. January 21, 2015

Ernest Weekley. (1967). An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English L-Z.

Dover Publications Inc. Google books. Web. January 21, 2015

Web pages

John Jackobsen. (July, 2008) Common Examples of Onomatopoeia in English

Speech. Examples of Onomatopoeia - Quick and easy guide to understanding
onomatopoeia. Retrieved from http://www.examplesofonomatopoeia.com/
January 14, 2015

La plume à poil (2014). Langue de pub. Onomatopée ‘Salvelat’.

http://laplumeapoil.com/2014/08/28/onomatopub/#more-37 75 January 25, 2015

Noise help (2015). Examples of onomatopoeia.

http://www.noisehelp.com/examples-of-onomatopoeia.html January 25, 2015

Pamela Y. Tonge. (2015) Basic Reading of Sound Words-Onomatopoeia.Yale-

New Haven Teachers Institute.
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2000/5/00.05.11.x.html January 24,
2015

WordPress. (March, 2008). French and English Onomatopoeia.

https://cocotminut.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/onomatopoeia/ January 24, 2015

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