Article

Name: Sound iconic words in folklore for children (in Finno-Ugric languages)

Authors: Vladimir A. Ivanov

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation

In the section Linguistics

Abstract: The paper deals with the peculiarities of the functioning of sound iconic words in folklore for children in the Finno-Ugric languages. The author defines sound iconic words and its subclasses, discusses its primary function in folklore texts. Sound iconic words are identified as having an involuntary motivated relationship between the form and the meaning. The sound iconic vocabulary contains onomatopoeic words, interjections, ideophones, nursery words, call words for animals, elements of «zaum», etc., and their derivates. Motivation is associated with greater expressiveness. Thus, it is this feature that determines the widespread use of such words in folklore texts of different genres. Also, the difference between folklore of children (texts created by children) and folklore for children (texts created by adults) is discussed. Further, the results of the research of sound iconic words and refrains in lullabies and discusses their origin and etymology are presented. Lull words come from significant words (cf. Russian bayu-bay from bayat’ ‘to speak’), sound iconic words or from vocalise syllables or vowel sounds used to calm the child. Lull words can be associated with designations of cradle and nursery words meaning «to sleep». Furthermore, the usage of sound iconic words in nursery rhymes (pestushki and poteshki) is discussed. These are small texts, accompanying simple exercises. Exercises are aimed at the physical development of the child, with the accompanying texts responsible for the emotional state. In these genres, one can find both common and specific sound iconic/refrain words. The study of refrain words is of interest both for their functions in the folklore text and their linguistic features, which are sometimes inexplicable without referring to the texts of the relevant genres. Refrain words are part of the sound iconic vocabulary of the language and therefore should also be studied regarding iconicity and sound symbolism. Sound iconic/refrain words used in folklore texts should be included in dictionaries.

Keywords: sound iconic words, Finno-Ugric languages, lullabies, song refrains, nursery rhymes

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