Semantic Classificationsof the Assamese and Nepali Onomatopoeia: a Comparative Study

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

Semantic Classificationsof the Assamese and Nepali Onomatopoeia: A Comparative Study

Dr. Himakshi Bordoloi Gauhati University Guwahati, Assam, India

Abstract:

Onomatopoeic words are known more as a harmony of the sounds. The sounds assimilated in the onomatopoeic words are in one hand, the imitation of the naturally audible sounds and on the other hand, are the representation of the minutest feelings of the human mind.

Assamese and Nepali are two of the modern Indian languages that fallsunder the category of the Indo-European. The onomatopoeic words are occupying a greater portion of both these languages’ vocabulary. In this paper, we have attempted to highlight the semantic classification of the onomatopoeic words.

A comparative discussion of the onomatopoeic words created from the imitated sounds of the onomatopoeic words of Assamese and Nepali languages and the ones created from the minutest feelings of thesenses is being presented here by classifying them into two categories for which the analytical and comparative methodologies are being implemented.

Keywords: Onomatopoeic words, Semantic

0.1. Introduction:-

The Assamese and Nepali language are seen to have originated and developed in the 7th century AD. The onomatopoeic words are occupying a greater portion of both the Assamese and Nepalilanguage that falls in the modern Indian languages of the Indo- European category. The onomatopoeic words are just a harmony ofvaried sounds. The sounds assimilated in the onomatopoeic words are in one hand, the imitation of the naturally audible sounds and on the other hand, are the representation of the minutest feelings of the human mind. The meanings of the onomatopoeic words used in the Assamese and Nepali language depend on the feelings of the senses. As an outcome of this expression, language expresses itself as a narrative of the natural sounds in one way and on the other way, as an expression of the feelings of human senses. Rabindranath Tagore, speaking about the onomatopoeic words based on the diversity of the sounds, said, “The diversities in the sounds can easily narrate the varied things whichotherwise is impossible to express in the form of semantic words. (Thakur, 35)

1.0 Summary

The onomatopoeic words that are formed as a result of sound imitation are capable of expressing diverse feelings like expanse, firmness, intensity, wholeness, imperfection, hopes-aspiration, recurrence, mutuality etc. (Chapagai, 13)

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

The onomatopoeic words in both Assamese and Nepali languages are mainly classified into two categories based on their semantic differences:

1.1 Onomatopoeic words that are created from the imitation of sounds 1.2 Onomatopoeic words that are created from the feelings of the senses (Adhikari, 56)

1.1 Onomatopoeic words that are created from the imitation of sounds

Most of the onomatopoeic words used in the Assamese and Nepali language are created from sound imitations, which means these words are the imitations of real life sounds like the sounds of animals, birds. Such varied sounds created in the everyday life of human being can portray a beautiful depiction in our mindsinstantly. The onomatopoeic wordsthatare formed on the basis of the semantic characteristics can be categorized into three divisions-

1.1.1 Onomatopoeic words based on the natural environment 1.1.2 Onomatopoeic words based on the human nature 1.1.3 Onomatopoeic words created in imitation of other words (Dakshi, 53)

1.1.1 Onomatopoeic words based on the natural environment

Several onomatopoeic words are found to be used in pairs in both Assamese and Nepali language. These words denote the sounds of birds, animals living in the natural environment, some natural activities or beautiful naturalscenarios etc. For instance-

Assamese Nepali

Bhuk Bhuk (Dog’s barking) Kunyi Kunyi (Dog’s barking)

Hee Hee Hee (Horse’s neighing) Khwar Khwar ((Horse’s neighing)

Kin Kin (Sounds of raindrops) Jham Jham (Sounds of raindrops)

Xuu Xuu (Sounds of wind) Xuru Xuru (Sounds of wind)

1.1.2 Onomatopoeic words based on the human nature

The onomatopoeic words created in imitation of the everyday life of human being are found to be used in both Assamese and Nepali language. For example- human being creates several sounds while eating food, laughing, crying, dancing, talking and so on. The onomatopoeic words that are created in imitation of these sounds have led to a huge treasure of words. For instance-

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

Assamese Nepali

Khal Khal (Sounds of loud laughter) Khil Khil (Sounds of loud laughter)

Ken Ken (Small sounds of crying) Kwaa kwaa (Baby’s cry)

Kas Kas (Sounds of munching raw food) Kuyark Kuyark(Sounds of munching raw food)

Jopong Jopong (Walking) Lomok Lomok (Walking) etc

1.1.3 Onomatopoeic words created in imitation of other words

A major part of the Assamese and Nepali vocabulary is covered by these words. The sub- categories included in these words are- the sounds created by musical instruments, sounds created on cutting a thing, sounds created by car’s horn, the sound of the bell, sound of the ticking clock and so on.

For instance:

Assamese Nepali

Dom Dom (Damaru) Dim Dim (Damaru)

Pne Pne (Sound of the hornpipe) Pya Pya (Sound of the hornpipe)

Tik Tik (Clock’s sound) Tik Tik (Clock’s sound)

Tong Tong (Sound of the bell) Ting Ting (Sound of the bell) etc

1.2 Onomatopoeic words that are created from the feelings of the senses

Certain onomatopoeic words used in the Assamese and Nepali language are very expressive. Such expressive onomatopoeic words express the minutest feelings of the mind based on the feelings of the senses. The expressive onomatopoeic words are capable of expressing the nature of a certain thing, touch, aroma, taste, colour, abstractness, stillness, silence, the feelings of the heart and the physical illness etc., in pretty brilliant words. Some of the words integrated in this category of words are also used as a depiction of a certain thing, activity or colour, stillness, depth etc., rather than being an imitation of a certain sound. (Saikia, 21). The onomatopoeic words used in the Assamese and Nepali language that are formed based on the feelings of the senses are as follows-

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

1.2.1 Onomatopoeic words based on the sense of Sight:

Assamese Nepali Chik Mik (Lightning) Milikk (Lightning) Kiskisiya (Black colour) Pilpil (Thin ray of light)

1.2.2 Onomatopoeic words based on the sense of touch:

Assamese Nepali

Cheng Cheng (Hot) Kut Kut (Soft)

Gergeriya (Cold) Chabasma (Cold)

1.2.3 Onomatopoeic words based on the sense of taste:

Assamese Nepali

Bejbejiya (Sharp taste of salt) Chatta (A taste of salt)

Chekchekiya (Tangy in taste) Tak Tak (Tangy in taste)

1.2.4 Onomatopoeic words based on the sense of smell:

Assamese Nepali

Molmoliya Dongdong, Hobasma

1.2.5 Transcendental onomatopoeic words:

Assamese Nepali

Ton Ton (The pain of a wound) Ton Taan (The pain of a wound)

Cheng Chengoni (Irritation) Jhwasma (Irritation) etc

2.0 The semantic side of the onomatopoeic words of Assamese and Nepali language is decided based on the behavioural characteristics of the vowels and consonants used in these languages. The vowels and consonants of both the languages are seen to have expressed its particular meanings considering the place and type of pronunciation of these. In case of the vowels, the three letters aa (a), ee (e), oo(u) are seen to have established a similar semantic presence.

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

For instance- The onomatopoeic words formed with the aa (a) vowel denotes vastness, enormous size and swiftness at certain places.

Assamese Nepali

Khokamoka (In a hurry) Khyam Khyam (In a hurry)

Dhorphora Pokapok etc

The onomatopoeic words formed with the ee (e) vowel denote smooth functioning.

Assamese Nepali

Tik Tik (Clock’s pace) Tik Tik (Clock’s pace)

Jhir Jhir (Sounds of stream flowing down) Jhir Jhir (Sounds of stream flowing down)

The onomatopoeic words formed with the oo (u) vowel denote frugal, mild meanings.

Assamese Nepali

Gun Gun (The sound of the Bumble bee) Bhu Bhu (The sound of the Bumble bee)

Kul Kul (Sound of the flowing river) Kul Kul (Sound of the flowing river)

On the other hand, in case of the consonants as well, the sounds used in both the languages expressits meaning staying firm in their own places with respect to the place and type of pronunciation. Despite having certain differences with respect to the language, the letters have visible similarities as well.

The consonants used in the Assamese and Nepali language have the touching sounds in a more or less ratio that expresses the depth, gravity, sharpness. For instance-

Assamese Nepali

Kot Kot Tong Tong, Tok Tok

Khat Khat Khatt etc

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

In matters of warm sounds, the onomatopoeic words are seen to be used in both the languages to denote the meanings of moisture, restlessness, lightness. For instance-

Assamese Nepali

Cham Cham Sham Sham

Xou Xou Xok Xok etc

The nasal sounds used in both Assamese and Nepali language expresses the meanings of a smooth pace, softness and pain in the onomatopoeic words. For instance:

Assamese Nepali

Misik Misik Musu Musu

Nuh Nuh Nithrukk etc

Certain vibrating sounds are seen to have expressed a similar minuteness of the vibrations in the onomatopoeic words of Assamese and Nepali language.For instance:

Assamese Nepali

Romromai Rim Rim

Rib Rib Ritikka etc

Conclusion:

On studying more about the onomatopoeic words used in the Assamese and Nepali language, the semantic differences between the words of the two languages can be seen in a more or less extent. As both the languages are derived from the same origin, the similarities between them are more than the differences. The onomatopoeic words that are created basing on the feelings of the senses show some similar primary words in both languages. Such words retain their place in both the languages and have been able to add a particularity to the languages.

Assamese Nepali

Molmoliya Dong Dong

Amulmul Mog Mog etc

REFERENCES

1. Thakur, Ranbindranath. Bangla Sabdatatta. Kolkata: Biswa Bharati Granthan Bibhag, 35. Print. 2. Chapagai, Narendra. Adhunik Nepali Byakaran. Kathmandu. Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 13. Print. 3. Adhikari, Hemangaraj: Prayugatmak Nepali Byakaran. Lalitpur: Sajha Prakashan. 56. Print. 4. Dakshi, Aliva. Bangla Dhanyatmak Sabda. Kolkata: Sabarna Rekha. 53. Print. 5. Bora, Lilawati Saikia: Asamiya Bhashar Rupatatwa. Guwahati: Banalata. 21. Print. 6. Chapagai, Narendra. Nepali Anukaran Sabdako Swarup. Lalitpur, Jagadamba Prakashan. PL. 1995. Print. 7. Brown, Nathan: Grammatical Notes on the Assamese Language, Assam Sahitya Sabda, 1982. Print.

International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 2, (2020), pp. 4446 - 4452

8. Dutta, Majumdar Satarupa: A constructive study of the reduplicated structures in Asamiya Bengali and Odia. Kolkata: Sabarnarekha, 2001. Print. 9. Goswami, U.N.: An introduction to Assamese. Guwahati: Mani Manik Prakashan. 1978. Print. 10. Goswami, GC: Structure of Assamese, Guwahati: University of Guwahati, 1982. Print. 11. Kakati, Banikanta: Assamese its formation and development. Guwahati: L B S Publication, 1995, Print.

Web: www.ciil.org.com wikipedia/onomatopoeias