Animals

What sound does a dog make?

Actually, this is one of those questions in English which are difficult to ask (see also: asking about ordinality of elements in lists) in a natural way.

Thank you.

I have found through a google search that when you are talking to your child you could also ask "What does a dog say?", is that correct?
But I'm guessing you don't say that to an adult, right?

[EDIT - Actually, I have just realized that the answer to the question What does a dog say? would be woof! woof! So, that's not what I wanted to ask.]

Henry74Hello,How do I ask the name of the "sounds" animals "emit".For example, if the answer is A dog barks, what would the question be? - What does a dog do? How does a dog go?They don't sound right.Can you help me?Thank you!H.

There is no standard way of asking that. I might ask, "What is the verb for dog vocalization?"

I think "What sound does a X make?" is a pretty normal and easily understood way of asking the question.

A horse goes neigh, a cat says "meow" -- you could get either of these.
I guess someone might say "A dog barks, a donkey brays" instead of "Woof" and "Hee haw."

If, for example, you were writing a children's book and wanted to ask about various animals, you might say "How does a dog talk?" and the answer would be "It barks." (As you pointed out, the answer to "What does a dog say?" would be "Woof, woof.") But obviously "talk" is not exactly the right word. I guess this is one more thing that you just can't ask very gracefully in English.

I wonder if it's universal that children like to be asked "What sound does a snake make?" best.

Thank you everyone for your kind answers.

H.

Grammar GeekI wonder if it's universal that children like to be asked "What sound does a snake make?" best.

Not if they lisp, they don't!