This is a fascinating read. Before I read the explanation, I identified the curvy shape as Buoba and the more sharp shape as Kiki. My reasoning was that bouba reminded me of “blob” or “blubber” and the sound was more round. And Kiki had harder and sharper consonants, then it was repetition i-i, straighter and more direct in its sound. So, I associated it with the other shape.
I think about this topic all the time. Mainly because I associate the combination of sounds to colors and shapes. When I read, a passage can seem yellow or gray. There is an aesthetic quality — just as when I look at a tree or a fruit, the image itself can be pleasing or displeasing.
Really interesting, Ronald -- it sounds like you experience those cross-modal connections more strongly than others. Would you say that it's synesthesia?
Maybe slightly — for certain things. Not as strong as others such as Katie Kermode - where words can taste like vinegar or be repulsive. This is how she remembers names — they have a certain taste. Perhaps, I’m just able to describe why I like word or discuss its mood and emotional qualities based on my perceptions.
Really cool! I haven't heard of 'bouba' vs 'kiki' before. It reminds of how 'm' is the most common consonant phoneme across languages, and is also most commonly used in the word 'mama'. There must be some physiological explanation to this and to the bouba vs kiki effect.
My knee-jerk feeling is that /m/ feels like an "easy" sound to make (compared with /b/, for example, which requires that extra energy). Maybe it's a highly accessible consonant for a baby just moving its mouth around?! Unfortunately I don't know enough about phonology to get detailed -- a future topic to explore!
Super interesting, will re-read it. My first thoughts about the shapes at the beginning of the post: the spiky one is regular, the rounded blob is decaf.
This is fascinating! I haven't heard of the bouba Kiki effect. I guess I missed their moment of fame on the Internet. It just makes sense thiugh that our visceral reaction to a firm would make it into our language. Thank you for the info and insights!
This is a fascinating read. Before I read the explanation, I identified the curvy shape as Buoba and the more sharp shape as Kiki. My reasoning was that bouba reminded me of “blob” or “blubber” and the sound was more round. And Kiki had harder and sharper consonants, then it was repetition i-i, straighter and more direct in its sound. So, I associated it with the other shape.
I think about this topic all the time. Mainly because I associate the combination of sounds to colors and shapes. When I read, a passage can seem yellow or gray. There is an aesthetic quality — just as when I look at a tree or a fruit, the image itself can be pleasing or displeasing.
Really interesting, Ronald -- it sounds like you experience those cross-modal connections more strongly than others. Would you say that it's synesthesia?
Maybe slightly — for certain things. Not as strong as others such as Katie Kermode - where words can taste like vinegar or be repulsive. This is how she remembers names — they have a certain taste. Perhaps, I’m just able to describe why I like word or discuss its mood and emotional qualities based on my perceptions.
Really cool! I haven't heard of 'bouba' vs 'kiki' before. It reminds of how 'm' is the most common consonant phoneme across languages, and is also most commonly used in the word 'mama'. There must be some physiological explanation to this and to the bouba vs kiki effect.
My knee-jerk feeling is that /m/ feels like an "easy" sound to make (compared with /b/, for example, which requires that extra energy). Maybe it's a highly accessible consonant for a baby just moving its mouth around?! Unfortunately I don't know enough about phonology to get detailed -- a future topic to explore!
Yes that's probably the official explanation of it as well!
Super interesting, will re-read it. My first thoughts about the shapes at the beginning of the post: the spiky one is regular, the rounded blob is decaf.
Haha, if we are adding coffee in the mix then I am definitely more of a kiki!!
This is fascinating! I haven't heard of the bouba Kiki effect. I guess I missed their moment of fame on the Internet. It just makes sense thiugh that our visceral reaction to a firm would make it into our language. Thank you for the info and insights!
It was so interesting to think about how the non-arbitrary parts of language are a part of our reasonable humanness! Glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth!