Sound symbolism

Sound symbolism or phonosemantics is an obscure branch of linguistics and refers to the idea that vocal sounds have meaning. An important concept for understanding this idea is phoneme: phonemes are written between slashes like this /b/.

Applications of Phonosemantics

Marketing companies have known about phonosemantics for some time. Consumer products like drugs, cars, new PC games and gadgets etc, are named in such a way as to have a subconscious effect on us. The sounds of these words, evoke images, and images have an emotional impact, and every advertiser knows that emotions determine behaviour! Prozac was originally called Fluoxetine before the marketing guys got hold of it. Viagra makes one thing of vitality, and the force of Niagara Falls, adding in the hard, erect rigidity of the /g/ and /r/ sounds.

Related Topics:
Prozac - Niagara Falls

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