Please help me settle this.
I know that all languages have a form of "uh" or "um" but that the color of the vowel changes. I'm wondering about the origin of other knee-jerk slang expressions. Do you actually physically utter "ouch" or "ow" when you've hurt yourself? Is this an English word, or is it more primal than that? Do children in Nepal have the same instinctual response to sudden pain? Do apes say something when suddenly injured?
What about saying "uh-oh"? Does this word transcend culture and language? Or is it learned? For some reason, I feel we might have gotten this from the comics.
Any ideas you have are appreciated.
Posted by aokie at November 14, 2005 01:02 PMIn India, people say something like, "Aieeeyahhh" instead of "ow." Emphasis on the "Aiee" part. The sound of frustration is "Ooffoh," emphasis on the "fff".
They also use a "th-uhsssss" sound that's entirely untranslatable, but very versatile. It can be a "tsk, tsk" sound or a sound of awe/wonder, or a sound of frustration.
Posted by: amy at November 15, 2005 12:46 PMhmmpf. beats me.
thanks for the input. that helps.
Posted by: abe at November 16, 2005 10:37 PMall I got to say-
communicate, communicate. Everytime we try to talk you just don't listen, and yu just say things like "th-uhsssss" and "Aieeeyahhh." Very hard to bear over the phone.
you must be very busy. I can't wait to have some communications this Thrusday.
luv
Posted by: charlotte at November 22, 2005 12:25 AM