English Morphology Week 13: Onomatopoeia and Reduplication

Summary

This video discusses two key linguistic concepts: onomatopoeia and reduplication. It explains how onomatopoeia forms words by imitating natural sounds, with examples from both English and Indonesian. The speaker highlights common onomatopoeic words like 'quack' and 'meow.' The video also covers reduplication, a process where words are repeated for pluralization or emphasis, illustrated with examples such as 'rumah-rumah' in Indonesian and 'willy-willy' in English. The speaker concludes by reflecting on the importance of these language processes and expressing gratitude for the audience’s participation in the course.

Takeaways

• 😀 Onomatopoeia is the process of creating words by imitating sounds, such as those from objects, animals, or nature.
• 😀 An example of onomatopoeia in English is 'quack', which imitates the sound of a duck, and in Indonesian, it is 'kwek'.
• 😀 Onomatopoeic words vary across languages. For instance, the sound of a rifle shot might be described differently in English and Indonesian.
• 😀 Animal sounds are a common source for onomatopoeic words, with examples such as 'meow' for a cat and 'bark' for a dog.
• 😀 Onomatopoeic words are created by mimicking the sound of living creatures, inanimate objects, or even abstract noises.
• 😀 Reduplication in Indonesian is commonly used to pluralize nouns, as seen in 'rumah-rumah' (houses) or 'sayur-sayur' (vegetables).
• 😀 English also uses reduplication, but primarily in partial forms like 'willy-willy', which means a small whirlwind.
• 😀 A major distinction between full and partial reduplication is seen in Indonesian compared to English, where full reduplication is much more common.
• 😀 In English, reduplication doesn't often form plural nouns but can modify meanings, like the example of 'willy-willy'.
• 😀 The video concludes with well wishes for the success of students completing a course, expressing hope for the return to normal study routines.

Q & A

What is onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia is the process of forming words by imitating the sounds of objects, living creatures, or actions. Examples include words like 'meow' (cat sound) and 'quake' (duck sound).

Can you give examples of onomatopoeia in English and Indonesian?

In English, examples of onomatopoeia include 'quake' (duck sound) and 'meow' (cat sound). In Indonesian, similar examples are 'kya' (duck sound) and 'meong' (cat sound).

How does the sound representation differ between English and Indonesian for animals?

The sounds that represent animals may differ across languages. For example, in English, a duck's sound is represented as 'quake', while in Indonesian, it is 'kya'. Similarly, the sound of a cat is 'meow' in English, and 'meong' in Indonesian.

What is reduplication in linguistics?

Reduplication is the process of repeating a word or part of it to form new meanings, such as pluralizing nouns. For example, 'rumah-rumah' in Indonesian means 'houses'.

What are the two types of reduplication in Indonesian?

In Indonesian, there are two types of reduplication: full reduplication, which is used to pluralize nouns (e.g., 'rumah-rumah' for houses), and partial reduplication, which is less common.

Can you give an example of reduplication in English?

An example of reduplication in English is 'willy-willy', which refers to a type of whirlwind or storm. It represents a partial reduplication of the word 'willy'.

How does reduplication function in English compared to Indonesian?

In Indonesian, reduplication is often used to pluralize nouns, while in English, it typically appears in the form of partial reduplication, such as 'willy-willy'.

What are some examples of sound imitations in Indonesian and English?

In Indonesian, examples of sound imitations include 'tik-tak' for the sound of a clock, while in English, it would be 'tick-tock'. Another example is 'kongkorongok' in Indonesian, which represents the sound of a rooster, and in English, it would be 'cock-a-doodle-doo'.

What is the significance of onomatopoeia in language formation?

Onomatopoeia plays a significant role in language formation as it allows speakers to express and communicate sounds in a way that is directly tied to real-world phenomena, making language more vivid and relatable.

Why is there confusion between the English word 'willy' and 'willy-willy'?

The confusion arises because the word 'willy' on its own has a different meaning compared to 'willy-willy'. While 'willy' can have unrelated meanings, 'willy-willy' refers specifically to a type of storm or whirlwind, showcasing how reduplication can change the meaning of a word.