talkmagic.co.uk

Interesting and got me thinking in Grues thread on head and tails

There are some words in other languages that people recognize in pictures even though they never heard of the words before . With two words and two objects German Scientists got a 95% hit rate as people matched them up ( word to picture). In theory should be 50-50 if no bias

So if i show two words that you never heard of and two piccys we should get a 95% correct match up.. maybe i should do a poll. This must have some value methinks .

So if i show you a pic of a Kiki plant and a Bouba Plant we should get a 95% hit... even though you dont speak New Guineanian and ahve never seen these plants ..they also are going through the Japanese language and finding words that most people know for some reason when shown a picture or a choice of English words

Apparently its due to way language evolved many years ago..

Phonesthesia

I'm presently reading a book entitled "Language & Myth" by Ernst Cassirer that touches upon what you're bringing up (published in the mid-1940s) and how myth-based symbolism has a kind of universal sense to them but likewise, how understanding the root source of myth you can better understand the more literal meaning behind this or that deity or hero and their role within that earliest society.

thanks. i think its related to Synsth....ia. Cant remember how to spell it

Thanks Craig for the heads up, i read my recent report in New Scientist and will post any relevant links later if usefull

It also gives a list of 10 Japanese words that most people can guess given a choice.. although not 95% like Kiki and Bouba. Or Takete and Balouba with the plant pictures

With the examples you gave I would fail because I can't even see a picture of either in my head.

What is interesting are the studies on words, images and taste. I've never eaten chalk, (not even as a kid) but I pretty much know what it tastes like. And if you describe something as having a chalky taste, everyone knows exactly what you are talking about. Okay maybe not everyone but you get the point.

As an aside I have been accused of eating paint chips. Ooooh look at all the bright colours.