Have you ever wondered why certain shapes seem to be naturally associated with specific sounds? This intuitive association is at the heart of the ‘bouba-kiki effect’, a psychological phenomenon that suggests people have an innate tendency to associate round shapes with soft sounds like “bouba” and angular shapes with sharp sounds like “kiki”.
First documented in the 1920s and later explored in modern studies, this effect challenges the traditional idea that language and sounds are completely arbitrary. What is particularly fascinating is that this effect seems to be universal across cultures, languages, and even age groups, indicating how Deep cognitive connection between sound and visual perception.
But what does this phenomenon reveal about the way humans process information, and how might it affect professional fields?
Consultant Psychiatrist of Kadabams Hospital Dr. Arun Kumar tells indianexpress.com, “The bouba-kiki effect highlights how our senses – particularly sight and hearing – interact to form coherent interpretations of the world. The soft, rounded phonemes in ‘bouba’ align with the visual perception of curves, while ‘kiki Sharp consonants in ‘ resonate with angular shapes.
He adds, “This effect suggests that language is not arbitrary but rooted in sensory experiences. The way we produce sounds involves physical sensations (eg, rounded lips for ‘bouba’) that align with visual patterns, shaping our perception.”
According to research published in Psychological ScienceDr Kumar says this phenomenon may explain how humans develop abstract linguistic symbols. Early humans probably relied on it Sensory associations To assign meaning to words developed in structured languages.
How global is this phenomenon?
Bouba-kiki influence is largely global, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries. “Studies across different populations have consistently shown that most people instinctively associate rounded shapes with ‘Bauba’ and ‘Kiki’ with angular shapes,” notes Dr Kumar.
According to him, the research was published in 2015 PNAS Speakers of languages as diverse as Tamil, English and Himba (a Namibian language) show similar phoneme-shape associations. The effect has been observed in young children, indicating that association is spontaneous rather than learned. Even infants as young as four months prefer similar sound-shape pairings, studies have shown. Developmental science.”
Cultures with strong symbolic traditions, such as specific shapes associated with sacred sounds, may show deviations in their responses to the bouba-kiki test. (Source: Freepik)
Cultural and linguistic influences
While the influence is strong, Dr Kumar highlights slight differences that may arise due to cultural or linguistic differences:
Language Phonetics: Languages with Unique sound list Subtle biases can shape up. For example, a language without acute consonants may influence its speakers’ struggle with angular shapes.
Symbolism and Context: Cultures with strong symbolic traditions, such as specific shapes associated with sacred sounds, may show deviations in their responses to the bouba-kiki test.
“Despite these nuances, the overwhelming consistency across cultures suggests that the bouba-kiki effect is deeply rooted in global cognitive processes,” he notes.
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