英语拟声词论文

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袁晓燕的毕业论文

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星期二) 间：2010 年 8 月 31 日(星期二下午 4:54 星期二

收件人： xshs789

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Cursory Discussion on the English onomatopoeia

Yuan Xiaoyan

Teacher’ Ningxia Teacher’s University

Abstract: Abstract English onomatopoeia is not only the most primitive and basic

form of language, but also the most vivid and imaginative rhetorical means. Onomatopoeic words are widely used both in oral and written English, so it’ necessary to explore and study its rhetorical function. There is plenty s

of onomatopoeia in our world’s languages, so is the case with English. Onomatopoeia is not only a word-building, but also an important rhetorical method. It is composted through imitating the voice of natural world, with good rhetorical function, which makes our language more intuitive, vivid and lifelike. Besides, onomatopoeia can simulate the sound of human beings, and simulate a large number of the outside world’ sounds, which enhances the appeal of language to large extent. s This paper will focus on the rhetorical function of the onomatopoeia and

mainly discus its function in English language, and point that English onomatopoeia can be created according to our actual needs.

Key words: Onomatopoeia; primary onomatopoeia; secondary onomatopoeia; rhetorical function

0. Introduction Many linguistics regard onomatopoeia as the origin of human language, they consist that language is a sort of complete imitating to the voice in natural world. English onomatopoeia comes from the Greek onomatopoeia, the name itself means that the coinage (making new words). Onomatopoeia is not only a very primitive method for human beings name after things, but also the oldest rhetorical means. Using onomatopoeia properly can achieve the effect of transferring feeling by voice, both emotionally and professionally, thus, to the audience or readers, onomatopoeia can be achieved with the use of decent sound teaser. The accuracy and profound reflect the author's attitudes and feelings which led to the emotional resonance between author and readers. This paper will focus on the English language from a rhetorical point of onomatopoeia in the description of scenarios, action, and the roles of other things were discussed. I. Definition of English onomatopoeia The word “onomatopoeia” comes from Greek, it means namemaking Hugh. Holman said“Onomatopoeia----the use of words that by their sound

suggest their meaning”, that is to say, English onomatopoeia refers to use pronunciation to express meanings. Onomatopoeia is an important voice rhetorical which imitates some voices in the help of a similar sound to create a unique rhetorical effect. II. Classification of English onomatopoeia 2.1 Primary onomatopoeia 2.1.1 By imitating human voice

Let’s firstly look at the following examples: Ayo (ah Yao) is a pain likes sound that word； ha-ha/haw-haw refers to people’s laugh； murmur says the whisper； moan means something painfully； titter and giggle also refer to people’ laugh； shriek， s a kind of sharp voice； whoop means asthma voice； whisper refers to a voice to speak quietly； babble means baby-talk voice； grunt (snoring sound)； ouch ，by the pain of a sudden cry . 2.1.2 Onomatopoeia from imitating animals’ voice

The second category to simulate animal sounds of the onomatopoeia; for example： donkey/ass-----bray; bee-----hum; bird-----twitter, chirp; bull-----bellow; cat-----miaow, meow; chicken-----cheep; dog-----bark,

bay, yelp, howl; duck-----quack; hen-----crackle, gaggle;

horse-----neigh; pigeons-----coo; turkey-----gobble; crow-----caw; lion-----roar; wolf-----howl; tiger-----growl; pig-----grunt, squeal; frog-----croak; bee-----hum, buzz; mosquito-----buzz, drone; cricket-----chirp, chirrup, chirr； snake----hiss; swallow----chip,

twitter.

2.1.3 By imitating natural phenomenon and plants Usually, some words are used to describe the natural phenomenon and plant, for example: rumble, rustle, roll, boom, clap, crack, snap. 2.1.4 By imitating sounds of tools and machines Such as, thump, toot, fizz. 2.2 Secondary onomatopoeia Secondary onomatopoeia means a sound associated with a symbolic meaning, for example: “s” is the sibilant sounds of letters; it is often used to

describe a bitter sound of wind and water or sounds form snakes; “m” is a nasal letter, it is often used to describe some low and heavy voice, such as human whispers, insect's hum, sound of pigeons cooing and sea howling sound; one more example, “h” is a aspirate sound, it is often

linked to asthma, such as the following onomatopoeic words which usually begin with the letter”h”: hurry heave, huge, hurl, hoist, hop.

III. Semantic rhetorical function of onomatopoeia

3.1 Onomatopoeia is not only a rhetorical device, but also a metonym method. It plays an important role in our diary conversion and written English to give things names and semantic translation. Some English onomatopoeic words can be used as noun, refers to some objects which can produce sounds; and used as verb, adjective and adverb and so on, which plays different semantic meaning and different grammar function. We call this phenomenon as onomatopoeia semantic transformation, including transformation between nouns, adjectives and adverb. Here we just take nouns and verbs for example. 3.1.1 Onomatopoeia transferred into noun Noun transformation refers

to using sounds to stand for the things itself, for example: crack refers to some split; bubble means blister;

splash refers to mud; and bump stands for mass. Besides, when onomatopoeia

used as noun, we can have various kinds of metaphorical transformations. For example: crash originally refers to the sound of collision between instruments but now it used to describe “failure” or “flunk”; crack means split now refers to “weakness”; bang refers to “warmth” 3.1.2 Onomatopoeia transferred into verb In English, there are many onomatopoeias are transferred from noun to verb, for example: groan; chatter; clap; clump; tinkle; boom.

3.2 Rendering atmosphere, describing scene Onomatopoeia language can make a three-dimensional, dynamic feeling, for description it can receive an intuitive and vivid rhetorical effort. For example: (1) And bubbling and trembling and doubling, And rushing and flushing and brushing and gushing, And flapping rapping and clapping and slap ping... And thumping and pumping and bumping and jumping.

And dashing and flashing and dashing... The poet spends a lot of onomatopoeic words to describe the flowing river, showing us readers a vivid picture so that readers feel immersive. (2) The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around; It cracked, and growled and roared and howled, Like noises in a sound. Four onomatopoeia words: crack, growl, roar, howl to simulate the break sound of sea ice, render the environment and atmosphere very realistic, taking the readers into a spectacular scene of hearing the sounds, and seeing the shape. 3.3 Description of characters (3) The following sentences are taken from “The Cask of Amontillado” (阿芒提那多的酒窖): “Niter?” he asked at length. “Niter?” I replied. “How long have you had that cough?” “Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!”

My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes. The author Allen Poe uses only fifteen words about describing cough to portray the character’s dying image. (4) “What be ye looking at?” Asked a man who had not observed t he

incident. “Ho ho ho!”Laughed dark Car. “Hee hee hee!”Laughed the tippling bride, as she steadied herself on the arm of her husband. “Heu heu heu!”Laughed dark Car’s mot her, stoking her moustache as she explained laconically: “Out of the frying pan into and t he fire!” This is Hardy’s novel "Tess of Deboweier Home" in the description of three women’s laughs which are very different. The first one is

middle-aged woman, her laughter was Ho ho ho; the second woman was drunk, and her laughter was hee hee hee; and the third is an old woman, leaks teeth, her laughter was Heu heu heu. Hardy, through these onomatopoeic words shows the very different image to us readers.

3.4 Description of things “Using onomatopoeia can make non-living things living and living things more dynamic “(Feng Cuihua, 1995), for exampl

e: (5) He could hear the voice of the Swede screaming and blubbering.

He pushed the wooden button and as the door flew open, the Swede, a maniac, stumbled inward, chattering, weeping, still screaming. ——Stephen Crane: The Veteran , In this passage, “screaming” “blubbering” and “chattering” are all onomatopoeic words, they are all non-finite verb form, the action is intended, which gives the impression that the image of concrete, vivid and rich of rhythm . In this way, the terrified fire in the barn was outlined

most vividly and penetrating from the worker Swede’s eyes. (6)On the way through the mountain to school, we can see the

babbling

water in the brook, hear the frogs croaking, cuckoos cuckooing, birds

singing, sparrows chirping in the forest.

The sound of frogs, water stream, cuckoo, sparrow and the squeak constitute a vibrant picture, which gives readers a sense of fresh and filling of emotion from deep heart. So the very beautiful picture is obviously related with the usage of the onomatopoeic words. (7) And the muttering grew to a grumbling; And the grumbling grew to a mighty rum-bling; And out of the house the rats came rum-bling... —— —Browning: Pied Piper

This poem vividly painted on the activities of mice, from the timid and afraid of something with a whisper and murmur sound to the bold excitement. (8) Round the corner of Crescent Bay, between the pile-up masses of broken rock, a flock of sheep came pattering. (9) Then a dog began to howl somewhere in a farm house far down the road--a long, agonized wailing, as if from fear. (10) I don’t like the rattle of bottles from a milk man’s ran

(11) Chariots were rattling and horses were neighing． 3.5 Sound effect of rendering Onomatopoeia is unique in its color and sound, which can render audio, enhance bright rhythm and contrast the beautiful sound thus gives us readers a sense of getting into its scenery so that arouse the reader’s sympathy. For example: (12) “The girls were giggling all the way home.” is better than “The girls were laughing on the way home.” (13) The metal gate of Changsha University creaked open. (14) The old grandpa let the beer gurgle down his throat. (15) We beard the twitter of birds among the trees.

(16) He was hissed off the stage yesterday.

IV. The concise and vividness of onomatopoeia

4.1 Description of the meaning Using onomatopoeia can express meaning concisely and vividly. For example: (17) ”Ding! Crash! ” This sentence only uses two words expressing us an accident. (18) A hammering clatter of hoofs beating the hard road. (19) He flopped down the bag and ran to help us.

(20) She thumps her chest as if she feels pain there.

(21) Rent a toot or buy a tweet, boom, zing, twang, tinkle, hum or

plink.

(22) The crowd began to hiss and boo him for his sunspot swanlike conduct, but he sat unmoved.

4.2 Description of action

In literary works proper using of onomatopoeia can make sentences become clear, vivid

and imaginary, at the same, it can make the static images become dynamic scenes, vivid language often makes people relaxed and happy. Foe example: (23) One of the most picturesque and impressive parts of the bazaar is the copper smith’ market. As you approach it, a tingling and banging and clashing begins to implying on your ears. The author skillfully uses “tingling”, ” banging”, ”clashing” to express all kinds of sounds in the market, which gives readers a bustling and noisy picture. (24) “And dashing and flashing and splashing and dashing… And at once and all other with mighty up roar, And this way the water comes down at Lodore.”

How Does the Water Come Down at Lodore —— Robert Southey (25) I’m so hungry that my stomach is rumbling. (26) Team by team the wooden rammers thud into the earth. (27) She was hissed off the stage. (28) The teacher cracked him on the hand with a rule

V. Onomatopoeia can be creative Since we live in a world which is full of various sounds, so it is not enough for us only use the existing onomatopoeia collected in some common dictionaries to express our meaning, from the semantic features, usually, there is not necessarily a direct link between sound and meaning, at the same time onomatopoeia itself is

objectivity, but it is closely related to people's subjective consciousness, feeling, mood and other factors in nature. What’s more, English onomatopoeia is colorful. Therefore, onomatopoeia may be created according to our actual needs and occasions based on objective reality. For example: （29） How the pretty ladies talk-----Tittle tattle, tittle tattle! Like their patters when they walk-----Pittle pattle, pittle pattle.

——E.Darwin On the cases of the first pair, the onomatopoeic words tittle and tattle both can be find in the dictionary, while in the second pair of onomatopoeic words, pittle and pattle, we can’t find them in our dictionary, instead, they are created according to author’ actual needs, s so, the words expressed author’s meaning properly. VI. The unique pragmatic effects of onomatopoeia

6.1 The aesthetic function of onomatopoeia 6.1.1 Beautify sentences Onomatopoeia can not only successfully express the meaning, but also can beautify the article itself, it often makes the article extremely rich, proper and vivid, at the same time, it can add lively and colors to the language, thus providing readers an imaginative space, with a strong expression effect. For example:

(30) A. The rain fell on the window. B. The rain fell pitter-patter on the window.

(31) A. He opened a bottle of beer and drank it down.

B. He opened a bottle of bee and drank it down groanly.

Comparing the two sentences, we can easily find that the later one is more vivid and proper than the first sentence. 6.1.2 Beautify article

Onomatopoeia can describe scenes vividly, livelily and full of music, with a auditory stimulation. There is such a sentence in the first lesson of Advanced Engli

sh "The Middle Eastern Bazaar"： (32) Little donkeys with harmoniously tinkling bells thread their way among the throngs of people entering and leaving the bazaar. The onomatopoeic word tinkling leaves us a very clear picture: Some little donkeys walk through the bustling market, with small bells hanging on their necks, ringing in the crowd, which consists a harmony and pleasing picture, giving readers a original style of the Middle Eastern Bazaar. In the text "The Age of Miracle Chips", there is such a sentence: (33) As the alarm cock burrs, the bedroom curtains swing silently apart, the Venetian blinds snap up and thermostat boosts the heat to a cozy70. The percolator in the kitchen starts burbling....The TV set blinks on with the day’s first newscast. The use of onomatopoeic words makes the originally dull and uninteresting technical article lively and very interesting. VII. Conclusions Onomatopoeia is related simply with primitive word-building, by adding onomatopoeia, an ordinary sentence can become vivid and lifelike, and with the development of the language history, onomatopoeic words have been enriching and will continue to play this role. Most onomatopoeic words are created by imitating the sound of other things, so, learning onomatopoeia can not only make us understand the language features, but also can make us have a full understanding of the characteristics of English language and also its culture, thus we can appropriately communicate smoothly with foreign country In short, onomatopoeia is a great treasure of human language

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指导教师：田凤俊教师：

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