Allison Parshall, an Associate news editor at Scientific American, dives into the intriguing world of linguistic expressions of pain and joy. She reveals universal sounds used across 131 languages when experiencing pain, suggesting a shared human experience. Parshall discusses the 'ah' sound's emotional connections and how onomatopoeias impact perception. They also touch on fascinating phonetic effects like bouba-kiki and examine cutting-edge research linking language, emotions, and even neurotechnology.

Allison Parshall, an Associate news editor at Scientific American, delves into the fascinating world of linguistic expressions of pain and joy. She discusses how universal sounds like 'ouch' resonate across 131 languages, revealing shared human experiences. Parshall also explores the intriguing connections between vowel sounds and emotions, shedding light on phenomena like onomatopoeia and the bouba-kiki effect. The conversation further connects language evolution to emerging brain-computer interface technologies that enhance communication for speech-impaired individuals.