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Iconicity ratings for 14,000+ English words
Bodo Winter1, Gary Lupyan2, Lynn K Perry3
1Department of English Language & Linguistics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. bodo@bodowinter.com.
Behavior Research Methods
|April 20, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a large dataset of English word iconicity ratings, revealing connections between word form, meaning, and language acquisition. The findings highlight the role of iconicity in understanding language processing and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Semiotics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Iconic words exhibit a perceived resemblance between their form and meaning, mimicking sounds or motion.
- Iconicity is a semiotic property influencing word learning, language processing, and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a large-scale norming study of iconicity for over 14,000 English words.
- To provide a publicly available dataset for researchers.
Main Methods:
- A norming study involving over 1400 American English speakers.
- Rating over 14,000 English words for their degree of iconicity.
Main Results:
- Iconicity ratings were found to be related to age of acquisition, sensory modality, semantic neighborhood density, structural markedness, and playfulness.
- The study successfully replicated existing findings using the iconicity ratings.
Conclusions:
- The generated iconicity ratings dataset is a valuable resource for linguistic and psychological research.
- The dataset can be used to explore the role of iconicity in various aspects of language.
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