Is Onomatopoeia The Root of Human Poetry?

Redefining Onomatopoeia beyond just Imitation of Natural Sounds into a broader context of The Rhythmic Undertones of Human Poetry

I would like to begin this Contemplation with the beautiful and poignant opening couplet from Mawlana Rumi's (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) Mathnavi:

بشنو از نی چون حکایت می‌کند

از جدایی‌ها شکایت می‌کند

Listen to the reed and the tale it tells, how it sings of separation

This opening is not just an invocation but a profound instance of onomatopoeia that extends beyond the mimicry of sound. Here, Mawlana Rumi (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) masterfully weaves onomatopoeia into his verse, using it not just to imitate the mournful song of the reed but as a deeper reflection of his own state of spiritual longing and separation.

This couplet serves as a portal into the expansive universe of onomatopoeia in poetry, showcasing its potential to transcend the conventional boundaries of linguistic expression. Through this Contemplation, I will explore how onomatopoeia, often perceived simply as a tool for auditory imitation, can in fact embody a much more expansive role in poetry. It becomes a conduit for expressing the unspoken, a bridge between the poet’s inner world and the reader/listener’s perception, resonating with the universal human experiences of longing, joy, and the ceaseless quest for connection.

Artwork - Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia

It is essential to first immerse ourselves in the concept of onomatopoeia, a linguistic phenomenon traditionally understood as the imitation of natural sounds through words.

Onomatopoeia, in conventional understanding, serves as a bridge between the acoustic world and the realm of language. Words like 'rustle', 'whisper', and 'bang' are not just phonetic constructions; they are acoustic echoes of the natural world, encapsulating the sounds they represent.

Yet, upon closer contemplation, one discerns that the principle underlying onomatopoeia – the desire to encapsulate experience within the confines of language – is strikingly akin to the core objective of poetry. Poetry, in its most elemental form, strives to encapsulate not just sound, but the entire spectrum of human experience - emotions, thoughts, sensations - using words.

Deconstructing and Expanding Onomatopoeia

Let us first anchor ourselves with the formal definition of onomatopoeia as prescribed in traditional linguistic texts.

Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named, for example, words such as 'cuckoo', 'sizzle', or 'clang'.

This definition places onomatopoeia firmly in the realm of sound imitation, emphasising its phonetic mirroring of the natural or ambient sounds.

Deconstruction

The deconstruction of this definition necessitates peeling back its layers to reach its core utility: the representation or simulation of reality through language. This utility hinges on the principle of mimesis – the imitation of nature in art and literature. In its most fundamental form, onomatopoeia represents an innate human endeavour to capture and replicate our sensory experiences, particularly auditory, within the confines of language.

Philologically, the occurrence of onomatopoeic words across diverse languages points to a universal linguistic instinct. This instinct is not merely about sound replication but reflects a deeper cognitive process of symbolising and conceptualising sensory experiences. Linguistically, onomatopoeic words often defy the standard morphological constructions of languages, suggesting that they emerge from a more primal form of cognitive processing, one that predates complex language structures.

Reconstruction

Building upon this core utility, we can expand the definition of onomatopoeia to encompass not only the imitation of sound but also the broader imitation of sensory and emotional experiences. This expanded definition aligns with the fundamental purpose of language: to convey not just information but also experience and emotion.

In this broader context, onomatopoeia extends to the rhythmic and structural aspects of language that mimic the natural flow of experiences and emotions. For instance, the cadence of a poem can mimic the tranquility of a flowing river or the tumult of a storm, transcending the mere auditory imitation to encapsulate the entire sensory and emotional ambiance.

Philologically, this expanded view of onomatopoeia aligns with the evolution of languages, where the expressive capacity of words grows to encompass more abstract concepts, including emotions and internal states. Linguistically, this entails viewing language as a multi-modal tool, where phonetic, syntactic, and semantic elements collaborate to evoke a comprehensive sensory and emotional experience.

An Expanded Definition

Thus, we arrive at an expanded definition of onomatopoeia:

Onomatopoeia is a linguistic phenomenon wherein words are employed not only to imitate sounds but also to emulate the rhythm, texture, and emotional quality of experiences.

This definition transcends traditional phonetic imitation, embracing the broader poetic function of language as a medium for mirroring the human experience in its entirety.

The Onomatopoeia in World Poetry

I will now illustrate how the expanded concept of onomatopoeia resonates within various cultural and linguistic traditions, each echoing the human experience through their unique poetic lenses.

The Sensory Rhythms of Eastern Poetry

In Eastern poetry, the delicate balance of nature and emotion is masterfully captured. Consider the classic Japanese haiku by Matsuo Basho: "古池や蛙飛び込む水の音" (An old pond / A frog jumps in / The sound of water). The haiku not only imitates the sound of the frog and water but also encapsulates the tranquil essence of the moment, reflecting the onomatopoeic principle in both sound and feeling.

The Emotional Echoes in Middle Eastern Poetry

Middle Eastern poetry, rich in emotional depth, uses language rhythmically to evoke feelings. Mawlana Rumi’s (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) line, "در نهان خانهٔ جان می‌زنم من آواز" (In the seclusion of my soul, I sing), illustrates this, where the rhythm of the words mirrors the soulful and introspective journey, transcending mere auditory imitation.

The Vibrant Soundscapes of African Poetry

African poetry's vibrancy is exemplified in its oral traditions. The poem "Nyaminyami" by Zimbabwean poet Chirikure Chirikure uses rhythmic repetition and local dialect to convey the power and mystique of the Zambezi River's spirit, creating a soundscape that resonates with the energy and spirit of the land.

The Lyrical Resonance in European Poetry

European poetry often employs lyrical qualities to reflect emotion and scene. In the French poem "Le Dormeur du Val" by Arthur Rimbaud, the lines "C’est un trou de verdure où chante une rivière" (It's a green hollow where a river sings) use melodious language to capture the serene yet poignant landscape, mirroring the scene's tranquility and underlying sorrow.

The Modern Melody in Contemporary Poetry

Contemporary poetry frequently adopts onomatopoeic elements to reflect modern life's complexities. In the poem "The Whitsun Weddings" by Philip Larkin, the train's rhythm is mirrored in the poem's meter, echoing the sense of movement and the passage of time, capturing the essence of a journey through the English countryside.

Onomatopoeia and the Human Mind

Now let us discuss cognitive linguistics to understand the relationship between onomatopoeia and human cognition, and how this is artfully mirrored in poetry. Poetic onomatopoeia is not merely a stylistic device, but a reflection of the deeper cognitive mechanisms that govern human perception and expression.

The Cognitive Basis of Sound Imitation

At the core of onomatopoeia lies the human brain's ability to perceive, process, and mimic sounds. This ability is a cognitive function that involves various brain regions, including those responsible for auditory processing and language. When a poet uses onomatopoeia, they tap into this innate cognitive mechanism, creating a direct bridge between the reader’s sensory experience and the poetic narrative. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells," the repetition of the word "bells" with varying adjectives mimics the sounds and sensations of different types of bells, engaging the reader's auditory and sensory imagination.

Onomatopoeia and Emotional Resonance

Onomatopoeic poetry often captures the emotional quality of sounds, reflecting the close link between sensory experience and emotional response in the human brain. This is evident in poems that use sound-imitative words to evoke particular moods or feelings. In T.S. Eliot’s "The Waste Land," the line "The rattle of the bones, and chuckle spread from ear to ear" uses onomatopoeic words to create a chilling, unsettling atmosphere, engaging the reader’s emotional response to the sounds.

Symbolism and Conceptual Metaphors

Onomatopoeia in poetry often extends to symbolic and conceptual domains, illustrating how human cognition relies on metaphors and symbolism to make sense of the world. This is particularly evident in poems where onomatopoeic words symbolise broader concepts or ideas. In William Blake's "The Tyger," the line "What the hammer? what the chain?" uses onomatopoeia to symbolise creation and destruction, reflecting the cognitive process of using sensory experiences to understand abstract concepts.

The Role of Onomatopoeia in Memory and Recall

The mnemonic power of onomatopoeia in poetry taps into the cognitive function of memory. Sound-imitative words are often more memorable due to their sensory nature, aiding in the retention and recall of the poem. This is exemplified in Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," where the subtle onomatopoeic quality of "His house is in the village, though" helps in cementing the poem’s imagery and mood in the reader's memory.

Onomatopoeia and Universal Poetic Expression

Finally, I would like to tie up this Contemplation by discussing the universality of the phenomena of Onomatopoeia and how it has come to form the very roots of human poetry itself.

Onomatopoeia transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, highlighting its capacity to foster a universal understanding and appreciation of the art form. Onomatopoeia, by its very nature, taps into the universal human experience, enabling poems to resonate across diverse audiences.

A Universal Language

Onomatopoeic elements in poetry often serve as a universal language, transcending the specific meanings of words to convey a shared human experience. The innate ability to recognise and interpret sounds allows onomatopoeic poetry to communicate beyond the confines of linguistic barriers. For example, the sound imitations in Pablo Neruda's Spanish poem "Oda al Gato" (Ode to the Cat) convey the essence of the cat’s movements and character, creating a connection with readers regardless of their native language.

Bridging Cultural Differences

Onomatopoeia in poetry can bridge cultural differences by focusing on common sensory experiences. Whether it's the sound of rain, the rustling of leaves, or the hustle of a city, these universal experiences captured in poetry create a shared understanding among readers from different cultural backgrounds. In Derek Walcott’s "Omeros," the rhythmic and sound-imitative elements evoke the Caribbean landscape in a way that is accessible and relatable to a global audience.

Cross-Cultural Empathy

Through its ability to evoke universal sensory experiences, onomatopoeia in poetry enhances cross-cultural empathy. It allows readers to step into the shoes of others, experiencing the world from different perspectives. In Rainer Maria Rilke's German poems, the onomatopoeic use of sound creates an emotional landscape that transcends cultural boundaries, allowing readers to connect with the underlying human emotions.

A Timeless Appeal

Finally, Onomatopoeia contributes to the timeless appeal of poetry, making it accessible and relevant across ages and cultures. The use of sound-imitative words creates a layer of meaning and experience that remains potent and relatable, regardless of the era or cultural context. Through onomatopoeia, we can feel the joy, and sorrow of the poet even if we are separated by thousands of years.

Since I started this Contemplation quoting the opening couplet of Mawlana Rumi’s (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) landmark Mathnawi, I will end this contemplation with a few more couplets from the same to further substantiate the thesis of this Contemplation.

Farsi Script

بشنو از نی چون حکایت می‌کند

از جدایی‌ها شکایت می‌کند

از نیستان تا مرا ببریده‌اند

در نفیرم مرد و زن نالیده‌اند

سینه خواهم شرحه شرحه از فراق

تا بگویم شرح درد اشتیاق

هر کسی کو دور ماند از اصل خویش

باز جوید روزگار وصل خویش

Translation

Listen to the reed and the tale it tells,

How it sings of separation.

Ever since they cut me from the reed bed,

My wail has caused men and women to weep.

I want a heart torn by separation,

So I can explain the pain of longing.

Everyone who is left far from his source

Wishes back the time when he was united with it.