Phonaesthetic: Understanding the Meaning of Words

from the Sound Similarity of the Language

Wisasongko

Jurusan Sastra Inggris

Fakultas Sastra Universitas Jember

Jalan Kalimantan 37 Jember 68121

wisasongko@yahoo.co.id

Abstract

As a means of communication, a language conveys meanings which are expressed in words. Interestingly, words which have similarity of sounds, in a few cases have similar meanings. This phenomenon – better known as phonaesthetic – occurs not only in English, but also occurs in Indonesian and Javanese languages. The words lump, bump, hump, stump, chump, rump, and plump for example, suggest similar in sound, and at the same time show the similarity of meanings. However, not all words with similar sounds will similar meanings. This article briefly discusses this language phenomena with additional samples from Indonesian and Javanese languages.