ADAPTATION OF ONOMATOPOEIAS WITHIN THE LANGUAGE SYSTEM

• Authors: Andrej Ľubomír
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This paper explores the adaptation of onomatopoeias within language systems, examining their transformation from spontaneous sound imitations to fully integrated lexical items. It discusses how these sound-based forms adapt and evolve through an examination of phonological adjustments, semantic shifts, and morphosyntactic integration. The paper highlights several stages of onomatopoeic transformation, drawing on complementary theories by Flaksman (2017), Körtvélyessy (2020, 2022), and Rhodes (1995). The contrast is primarily drawn between primary onomatopoeias that serve as iconic exclamations, and secondary onomatopoeias – fully conventionalised and grammatically embedded lexical items. By analysing the progression from the former to the latter, the paper offers insights into the broader cognitive and linguistic mechanisms that facilitate the incorporation of iconic forms into structured language.

Keywords

EN

SOUND SYMBOLISM; ONOMATOPOEIA; CONVENTIONALISATION; DE-ICONISATION

• Publisher: Ludovit Stur Institute of Linguistics, Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Slovenská reč (Slovak Language)
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 90
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 184 – 201

Contributors

author

Andrej Ľubomír

• University of Prešov, Faculty of Arts, 17. novembra 1, 080 78, Prešov, Slovak Republic

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4734-7912

Identifiers

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31577/slovrec.2025.2.9