Holger Mitterer's HomePage

Siwu

Category: Sound
   Gloss: resounding explosion
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of dry impact
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of dull impact
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of water drops
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bubble
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Texture
   Gloss: fluffy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rough
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: soft in the sense of yielding to the touch
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: smooth
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: fine-grained
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: silky
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Motion
   Gloss: a drunkard's wobbling gait
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walking like a tortoise
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: wriggling (of a small snake)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walking fast (heavy person)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rolling
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: slowly moving
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Shape
   Gloss: circular (round 2D)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: spherical (round 3D)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: pointy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: flat
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: straight
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: twisted, bendy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: long
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: protruding belly (moderately fat)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: protruding belly (fat)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: ellipsoid
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: ColorVisual
   Gloss: purely white
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: focal red
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: red-hot
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: black, dark
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: shiny
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sparkling
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: spotted
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only

Ewe

Category: Sound
   Gloss: thud
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of a slap
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of falling
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of small drum
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: falling flat
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: falling in an uneven way (e.g. knees first)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of crying out (often repeated)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of mumbling voice
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Texture
   Gloss: soft+malleable (e.g. the belly of a fat person, a cushion)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: soft+stretchy (e.g. chewing gum or a stretch of skin)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: soft+flubby
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: fluffy+furry
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rough, fine grain, like sandpaper
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rough, coarse grain, like a rocky surface
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: hard, not necessarily rough
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: smooth
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Motion
   Gloss: walk without care, meandering a bit, scattered walk
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: to walk straight in clear steps
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: the hurried running of small animals
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walk with the body bent forward
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walking with limbs closely together
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walk slowly, weakly
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walk (or do sth) fast
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rolling (of a log), where vowel quality modifies size
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rolling (of a spherical object)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walking without looking where one is going
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: walking hurriedly
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Shape
   Gloss: round
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: with a bulge somewhere, deviating from spherical
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: long
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bloated, raised+spongy aspect to it
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: long+rounded
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: the protruding pointy tummy of a pregnant woman
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: round+spherical
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: thin+flat (e.g. leaf, piece of paper)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: ColorVisual
   Gloss: purely white
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: black
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: focal red
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: light greyish
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: green-fresh (of young leaves)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: spotted
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: shiny
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only

Korean

Category: Sound
   Gloss: pounding from a big and heavy stuff/ obese person walking
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: metalic sound/small bell
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound/murmur from a little creak
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: splash
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: giggling
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: boiling sounds
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: babbling/prattle
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: click one's tongue
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: a small quantity of liquid boiling/ simmering
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: crying
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Texture
   Gloss: rough / bark of a tree
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: crispy, easily breaking
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: very soft / fluffy dog
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: oily/ fish's skin
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: smooth / table surface
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: soft, yielding, but elastic
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sticky
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: overripe, very soft, flabby, pulpy viscous
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: embossed / bubble foil, bumpy in a regular fashion
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Motion
   Gloss: chop into small pieces
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: shrug shoulder
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: continously expaning (gum from mouth)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: heartbeat
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: strongly blowing wind-> moving very fast, bike
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: flapping, like a flag
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: tie up with rope, circular motion
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: crawl
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: gently / ladies walking in the spring, falling leaf
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: jumping of a small and light stuff / bunny jumping
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Shape
   Gloss: roundness
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: blown up, like a ballon
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: round shape, plump, chubby
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: curvy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: chubby
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: protruding belly
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bumpy / kinderkopjes
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: wrinkled / uniorned shirt
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: ColorVisual
   Gloss: blazing sunshine
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: glitter
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: blaze / flamme
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: shining eyes
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: beaded with sweat
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: colorful, indian summer (first author's shirts)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: hanging in clusters
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: shivering/shaking
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: fresh and green
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only

Japanese

Category: Sound
   Gloss: dog barking
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: scissors snipping
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: exploding sound
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: water splashing
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: knocking on door
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: scraping sound
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: fire burning
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: crunchy sound (e.g. rice crackers)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: thud, schweres Fallen Aufprallen
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: plop, like opening a beer bottle
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sound of rain, shower
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Texture
   Gloss: fluffy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: dry, brittle
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sticky
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: being oily
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: slippery, smooth surface
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bumpy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: very hard
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: smooth, (hair)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: slimy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: rougth texture
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Motion
   Gloss: fastening proficiently
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: acting fast
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: manner of jumping or hopping repeatedly
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: sway to and fro
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: floating, drifting lightly
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: slow and lazy movement
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: turning or rolling movement
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: the manner of walking with heavy faltering steps
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Shape
   Gloss: state of things being arranged in a line
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: meager, gaunt, lean
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: the state in which something small is sharp pointed
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: protruding
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: pillowy
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: thin
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: gaunt, lean
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: chubby
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: plumply filled
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: ColorVisual
   Gloss: glittering
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: blurred
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bright (with respect to light)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: the manner of something sparkling
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: brightly red
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only

Semai

Category: ColorVisual
   Gloss: bright coloured. distribution in space
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: dark coloured, purple-brown
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: darker red, purple-red. distribution in space
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bright (dirt) coloured, sand-red, a little darker on an otherwise brighter surface. example: of white peoples' skin when sun-burned
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: transparent, see-through
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: lighter brown, pale-coloured
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Motion
   Gloss: vertical (upward), one item splitting into multiple. Example: fireworks
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: from side to side while walking, short and firm movements. Example: the way a person with short legs walk
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: falling over/down, collapsing. Example: people falling over, leeches losing their grip
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: swinging back-and-forth. Example: movement from monkies shaking branches
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: upward climbing with arms and legs. Example: kids climbing
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: slow up-and-down. Example: of a slow bouncy gait. Repetition of movement
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: fast, jerky, in multiple directions. Example: running around looking for something, a stressed or scared behaviour. Repetition of movement
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: flickering, fluttering. Example: of leafes moving in the wind. Plurality of motion
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Texture
   Gloss: of small dents/holes on surface, e.g. scars on skin from acne
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of coarse, coarse-grained, e.g. sand on a surface
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of an oily feeling on the skin, greasy, sweaty, very slippery
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of bumpy, bulgy, e.g. from gravel or small stones on a surface
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of rough, rugged, e.g. of beard stubble
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of surface with ridges (small spacing)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of surface with small small hairs
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Sound
   Gloss: of bubble in thick liquid (e.g. mud)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of bubble in water, repetition of sound
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of splashing water, repetition of sound
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of heavy breathing through nose (typically of animals, e.g. buffalo)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of pouring water, (e.g. with a kettle)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of thin glass breaking on a hard ground, (e.g. a stone/cement floor)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of peoples' breathing when sleeping, with lips open a little, hearing this sound here and there
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of someones breathing when sleeping, with lips open a little
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: "of dull or muffled sound (e.g hitting hand against cement floor; something heavy landing of the floor)"
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
Category: Shape
   Gloss: of a larger bulging shape, e.g. a fat/swollen stomach
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: bent, a little askew/slantwise
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of a smaller bulging shape, e.g. typically of large/muscular calfs bulging
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of a cone-like protruding shape (from head), e.g. hair bun
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of a straggling shape/figure, things going in all directions, e.g. hair standing in all directions
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: crocked, not straight/proper of a pattern, sometimes with holes (could also be considered a surface characteristic)
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of round-like hole, typically of open mouth
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only
   Gloss: of a straight shape/posture, e.g. a straight body position, straight hair
      natural utterance       rich resynthesis       segments only       prosody only

Materials for:

Dingemanse, Schuerman, Reinisch, Tufvesson, & Mitterer (in press)
What sound symbolism can and cannot do

Siwu

Ewe

Korean

Japanese

Semai

Materials for:

Dingemanse, Schuerman, Reinisch, Tufvesson, & Mitterer (in press) What sound symbolism can and cannot do

Siwu

Ewe

Korean

Japanese

Semai

Dingemanse, Schuerman, Reinisch, Tufvesson, & Mitterer (in press)
What sound symbolism can and cannot do