Re: subconscious sound preferences

On Sun, 27 Dec 1998, J. Barefoot wrote:

> I just noticed something. Some sounds just seem to jive with certain
> meanings. I mean, I know this is obvious to all of us; we wouldn't be on
> this list otherwise, but I've noticed it a subconcious level.
It probably has more to do with the fact that I conlang mostly a postiori
(Romance, Celtic and Germanic stuff), which comes prepackaged with built
in sounds; so I've not ever really noticed this phenomenon in my own
conlanging.  I can't just say 'wow, the sequence "mewemanima" is "rain
goddess"'.  It is in one conlang I've been working at; but for most, I've
got plu- for rain, or akw- for water, and div- for deity.

> To me, "k"
> is negative, "-m" is "-er", "t" is "present tense", "ngi" means "you",
> "s" is dative, and "pan" is "male". I find myself reproducing these
> forms in sketch after sketch, and not realizing what I'm doing. I'm
> curious to know if any of you have hit on the "perfect forms" in your
> own preference, that perhaps you reproduce subconsciously; if you've
> discovered the sounds that whisper to you irresistably "this is what I
> mean".
I do know that they are "nontransferable" between conlangers; as proven in
the Colours and Animals experiments.  It is an interesting idea, though,
and I think worthy of paying attention to.  (If for no other reason than
that those of us who constantly shift from project to project, seeking
novelty and adventure, will be able to keep track of what's been done
before!)

>
> I'm sorry, it really sounds like a stupid question.
A personal note, J.: you've been with us long enough to quit with this
kind of nonsense.  The only stupid question is an honestly sought question
that goes unasked.  You don't need to "explain yourself" or make excuses
or try to cringe in shame over what you say to us.  We all do the same
sorts of things here; and if anything, you'll get support for airing your
ideas and questions here rather than a lambasting.  No matter how trivial
or far fetched they may seem to you.

Padraic.

> J. Barefoot