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Anonymous Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

What constitutes as an onomatopoeia?

I apologize if this question may seem trivial, but I'm quite perplexed as to what qualifies as an onomatopoeia. Does it simply include written sounds, or does it also include the description of sounds? Here is a quote for reference:

"From somewhere near by came scuffling, kicking sounds, sounds of shoes and flesh scraping dirt and roots."

  

Top answer

anonymous I'm quite perplexed as to what qualifies as an onomatopoeia. You ain't the only one. I confine the term to words that clearly are spelled to simulate a sound, like "woof" and "clang".

  • anonymous I'm quite perplexed as to what qualifies as an onomatopoeia.
  • You ain't the only one.
  • I confine the term to words that clearly are spelled to simulate a sound, like "woof" and "clang".
  • There is an onomatopoeic component to some of the words in your sample sentence, surely, but that is just good writing, picking words that have that ring.
  • You might call that aspect of writing onomatopoeia, not the words themselves but the technique, but that very rarely comes up in conversation, at least on the public transport buses I ride.
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2 Answers
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anonymousI'm quite perplexed as to what qualifies as an onomatopoeia.

You ain't the only one. I confine the term to words that clearly are spelled to simulate a sound, like "woof" and "clang". There is an onomatopoeic component to some of the words in your sample sentence, surely, but that is just good writing, picking words that have that ring. You might c

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Swish Went the Fish

By Kelly Roper

Swish, swish, swish,
Went the little goldfish
As he swam around his bowl.

Splash, splish, splash
Went his fancy little tail
Because he was a happy little soul.

Glub, glub, glub
Went the bubbles he blew
As they floated up to the top.

Smack, smack, smack
Went his tiny fishy lips
As he ate his flake

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