Sound symbolism is a phenomenon where just the sound of your words can affect your readers. It describes the tendency of clusters of words that share similar meanings and sounds. Psychologists and linguists are still trying to figure out the relation between sounds and semantic meaning. However, for you, if you want to immerse your readers in your writing? Try tossing some onomatopoeia examples and watch them getting lost in your maze.
![Onomatopoeia]( "Onomatopoeia")
What Is Onomatopoeia?
If you are struggling to define onomatopoeia, here is a simple onomatopoeia definition. It is a figure of speech where words evoke the actual sound of what they are trying to describe or refer to. It can be real or made-up words and is used to bring your writing to life by compelling your readers. Words such as "Pow”, “Boom”, “Wham”, “Woosh” are examples of onomatopoeia.
It allows your readers to actually visualize and hear the sounds that are being produced in writing. However, onomatopoeia words can differ across languages and cultures, even when they are referring to the same sound.
How To Pronounce Onomatopoeia?
Wondering how to pronounce onomatopoeia? Well, here is a simple breakdown of the pronunciation “on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh”. It sounds exactly like what it means. Just like consonance and alliterations, it is intended to give a particular punch to your writing. You can use grammar checker tool if you want to check the grammar of your sentences.
Types Of Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia has four distinct variations:
- Actual Words That Sound Like Real Things
These are conventional onomatopoeia words whose sounds evoke real things. Words such as "meow", "woof", etc. are the most common onomatopoeia examples.
- Actual Words Made To Evoke The Sound Of Real Things
It is the rare type where a word or series of terms are used to intimate the real-world sound. Thus, words such as "bells" evoke the sound of tolling and ringing even when the word does not mean the sound itself.
- Made Up Words That Sound Like Real Things
These are known to fill the void when no words in the real world are sufficient to capture the sound. For example, a term such as "tattarrattat” is meant to evoke someone knocking at the door.
- A Series Of Letters That Mimics A Raw Sound
Sometimes onomatopoeia examples involve no words at all. There are the only series of letters that are combined together to form a sound. A phrase such as "zzzzzz”, “Hachoo" evokes sleeping and sneezing sounds, respectively.
Here Are Some Onomatopoeia Examples
Now that you have learned what is onomatopoeia, here are some examples of onomatopoeia to enable you to understand the concept better. Since the usage of such words makes the language so expressive, memorable and impactful, the use of these words is found everywhere, from literature to comics.
Onomatopoeia Examples In Literature
Writers use every type of onomatopoeia to bring their plot, characters and scenes to life. Here are some examples.
“The Bells” By Edgar Allen Poe
“Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the throbbing of the bells–
Of the bells, bells, bells–
To the sobbing of the bells;."
He uses conventional onomatopoeia in words like "throbbing", "sobbing", etc. Also, he repeats non-onomatopoeia words like “time” and “bells” to create an onomatopoeic effect.
“The Tempest” By Shakespeare
“Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices...”
Here, he uses onomatopoeia examples to convey the noises of an island. For example, a word like "twangling" is derived from the real world 'twang", meaning a string ringing sound. And "hum" is used to describe the effect of the noise. You can get English assignment help if you need assignment help on same.
- Onomatopoeia Examples In Comic Books
Comics books have a whole plethora of onomatopoeia examples. Unfortunately, it is not so readily available in modern-day comics. However, writers from the past have used blunt onomatopoeic language to express their scenes. Words such as "pow”, “bam”, “boom”, “phew”, “wham”, “ha haha” were readily used to express the emotions of the characters.
- Onomatopoeia Examples In Pop Culture
In pop culture, these words are used to create rhythm or mood, mainly when the music flows in naturally. Some examples are:
“The Fox (What Does A Fix Say)” By Ylvis
Here a series of letters were used to create the sound of a fox, which in reality does not have a natural sound. "a-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow” to “ring-ding-ding-ding” to “bay-buh-day-bum-bay-dum” is all onomatopoeia examples.
“Boom Clap” By Charlie XCX
This song uses onomatopoeia examples to describe a heart that has fallen in love and is full of energy.
- Onomatopoeia Examples In Marketing And Brand Names
Companies use onomatopoeia examples to make their brand names and m=advertising more memorable. Some examples are:
“Get some Zzzs”
“Plop plop fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is”
“Snap, crackle, pop”
What Is the Importance Of Using Onomatopoeia Examples
Onomatopoeia examples are valuable words used to describe sounds and create an impact on the readers' minds. They are meant to create an evocative reading experience that is more expressive than bland words. The usage of these words in essays and paragraphs can fill its rhythm and sound imagery to create the mood of the content. Furthermore, it gives a sense of reality and makes the descriptions more powerful.
Ways To Use Onomatopoeia Examples In Your Writing
While writing an essay or paragraph that requires storytelling, everyday colloquial language can be a little bland. Therefore to spice things up, you can use onomatopoeia examples and make your descriptions more powerful. These verbs can be used as nouns and adjectives; you just need to learn the tricks to operate correctly. If you are wondering how to use onomatopoeia examples in your writing, here are some ways by which you can do that effectively.
- Use Onomatopoeia As verbs
Using powerful active verbs can allow your readers to visualize and hear the sounds. It will enable your readers to live the scene and understand the tone fully. Some examples are, "The furnace roared to life", "She gasped for air while running home", "Water dripped from the faucet", etc.
- Use Onomatopoeia As Nouns
Onomatopoetic nouns add a degree of specificity and realness to your descriptions. Some examples are, "He jumped into the water with a splash", "A crash sounded when the car hit the wall", "December is filled with jingles and chatter", etc.
- Use Onomatopoeia As Adjectives
Adjectives should be used sparingly, but they can be highly effective to hook your readers. Here are some examples of adjectives "The hallway looked like cacophonous band and orchestra classes", "The barn was full of bleating sheep and squealing pigs", "I walked through rumbling thunder and drizzling rain".
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