Idiophones are marked words that depict sensory imagery and are used in narrative contexts to add color and description.
Different languages have varying numbers of idiophones, which can include onomatopoeic words, words associated with sensory aspects, and idiomatic components.
Deep dives
Main ideas and key points 1
This episode of the podcast discusses the concept of idiot phones in language. Idiot phones are marked words that depict sensory imagery and stand out from other words in a language. They tend not to fit into the grammar of a language and are often used in narrative contexts to add color and description. The episode explores the typological interest in idiot phones and their role in conveying sensory experiences across different languages.
Main ideas and key points 2
The discussion delves into the characteristics and variety of idiot phones. They can include onomatopoeic words, words associated with sensory aspects like movement and posture, and even words with idiomatic components. Different languages have different numbers of idiot phones, with some languages having thousands. The podcast episode also mentions a Dutch linguist who conducts research on idiot phones and provides interesting examples from various languages, such as Orokko, Japanese, and Kolo Kuma.
Main ideas and key points 3
The podcast highlights the ongoing debate and research regarding the grammatical treatment of idiot phones. While some languages consider idiot phones as separate from the grammar, others incorporate them as adjectives or in combination with specific verbs. The episode mentions that ideophones are also often mistaken for onomatopoeia, but they encompass a broader range of meaning and can describe various sensory aspects beyond just sound. The usefulness and significance of incorporating idiot phones in conlangs are also recognized.
Main ideas and key points 4
In addition to discussing idiot phones, the podcast briefly explores an example of the conlang Old Albic, which is associated with elves but is actually spoken by pre-Keltic inhabitants. The grammar of Old Albic presents some intriguing features, including a gender system based on animacy, a complex verb aspect system, and the use of features in phonology. While more examples and detailed information about Old Albic are desired, the podcast concludes with feedback from listeners and potential future topics for the show.
We talk about ideophones, a fun, fun class of words that describe a general feeling. We also review a language that’s not quite an elflang, so William doesn’t quite hate it. Top of Show Greeting: Dothraki Links and Resources The Ideophone Ideophone definition Japanese ideophones Daniel Tammet inventing an ideophone Featured Conlang: Old Albic Feedback:... Read more »
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