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Sound-action symbolism in relation to precision manipulation and whole-hand grasp usage
Lari Vainio1,2, Markku Kilpeläinen2, Alexandra Wikström1
1Phonetics and Speech Synthesis Research Group, Department of Digital Humanities, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)
|February 27, 2023
Summary
Novel words using specific sounds were linked to corresponding hand actions, demonstrating sound-action symbolism. This suggests a connection between speech sounds and grasp-related actions, potentially rooted in sensorimotor processes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Linguistics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sound symbolism proposes links between speech sounds and meaning.
- The interaction between manual and articulatory processes may associate hand actions with specific speech sounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implicit association between novel words and perceived actions.
- To explore sound-action symbolism, specifically linking speech sounds to grasp-related actions.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Participants matched novel words (based on sounds linked to precision/power grasps) to tool-use actions or pantomimes.
- Experiment 2: Utilized unfamiliar utilization actions in pantomimes to assess sound-action symbolism.
- A two-alternative forced-choice task was employed.
Main Results:
- Participants more frequently matched novel words to sound-symbolically congruent tool-use actions and pantomimes.
- A significant sound-action symbolism effect was observed, even with unfamiliar actions.
Conclusions:
- A novel sound-action phenomenon was identified, linking specific speech sounds with grasp-related actions.
- Findings support the hypothesis that sound-action symbolism may stem from shared sensorimotor mechanisms processing iconic gestural signs.
- The study highlights the manifestation of hand-mouth interaction through sound-action associations.
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