擬態語:さ行 – Sound Symbolism in Japanese
Sound symbolism in Japanese is very important. Unlike English and many other languages, you will soon realize that this is a special unique feature of the Japanese language.
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Understanding Sound Symbolism in Japanese
Sound Symbolism is a linguistic concept that sounds in words can have meaning. The most common type of Sound Symbolism can be seen in Onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia are words for sounds. Japanese Onomatopoeia are known as 擬態語 or 擬音語 in Japanese.
In English, a cat says meow and a dog, woof. That is about as far as English goes. Japanese however takes onomatopoeia to a new dimension.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/
Sound Symbolism in Japanese has similar words that represent other senses such as sight, smell, touch, and so on. Words can also represent psychological states, moods, etc. Almost like the words have synesthesia.
What does ‘s’ mean in Japanese
Depending on where the s sound is located in the word, the meaning may change. However, usually, it will usually mean something close to the following:
◆ Quick and Smooth Movement
◆ Soft or Smooth Texture
◆ Silence
Quick and Smooth Movement
s is a sound called a fricative. Another example of fricative in English is f or the sh sound. The terminology is not important but it is enough to know that the s and sh sound are produced with a constant, unimpeded flow of breath.
You can test this by holding sssssss and compare it to tttttttttttt. Here you can see that s flows through your teeth without any issues while t can not be held.
So, the s and sh sound in Japanese Onomatopoeia often represents quick and smooth movement.
さっさと家を出る
to leave the house promptly
すいすいと泳ぐ人
A person that swims smoothly/gracefully
Soft or Smooth Texture
s can also represent things that are soft or smooth
さらさらした髪の毛
soft or silky smooth hair
するするしたそうめん
slippery or smooth somen
The Sound of Silence
There needs to be some way to represent no sound with sound. The sound of silence is represented with s and specifically with the sh sound in Japanese.
雨がしとしと降っている
Rain is falling gently
しんと静かになった
it became silently silent