[Lexicog] words for different kinds of laughter

[Fritz Goerling]

Wow, Benjamin, very helpful!

 

As you know something about Japanese language and culture, I'll send you
something off-list so that you have a good laugh.

 

Fritz

Although I don't know much about the principles of onomatopoeia, Andrew 
Chang's _A Thesaurus of Japanese Mimesis and Onomatopoeia: Usage by 
Categories_ is an excellent resource. Not only does he have a 
categorized table of contents with the entire book divided into 
logically constructed chapters, there is a bilingual index and a host of 
cross-references throughout the book. The best feature, though, is the 
examples. Because of the huge advantage Japanese has over English in 
onomatopoeia, it's difficult for non-native speakers of Japanese to 
learn correct onomatopoeic usage, and the examples do an excellent job 
of contextualizing the situation indicated.

As can be seen from the examples below, reduplication is common. Small 
tsu generally shortens, eliminates or devoices the final vowel. If 
followed by a consonant, small tsu causes gemination.

Here are the ones on laughter:

1. ufufu said of an involuntary, subdued laugh/chuckle
2. karakara to laugh heartily (said of a masculine type of laugh)
3. kusukusu to titter, snicker (said of furtive laughter)
4. kukku(+ small tsu) to laugh as if stifling the laughter welling up 
in one's throat (mostly for young girls)
5. kuku(+ small tsu) same as kukku(+ small tsu), but a somewhat drawn 
out suppressed laugh, while kukku(+ small tsu) is more of a short 
stifled giggle. The principle dividing these two probably has to do with 
the extra genitive in kukku indicating less drawing out.
6. ketaketa to laugh foolishly (said of noisy and uproarious laughter 
especially by men, often out of place and in poor taste)
7. getageta to laugh uncouthly with a lower and flatter tone than 
ketaketa (emphasizing the vulgar speech). Voice vs. unvoiced.
8. kerakera to cackle (said of shrill, frivolous laughter)
9. geragera said of unstrained, boisterous laughter; a guffaw. Voice 
vs. unvoiced.
10. kerokero to laugh happily as if nothing has happened.
11. kotokoto a soft, happy laugh
12. korokoro said of a young woman's laughter
13. niko(+ small tsu)/nikori to flash a smile
14. nikoniko to smile happily and warmly
15. nitanita to simper, to laugh maliciously (with the nuance of 
dubious joy or pleasure)
16. nita(+ small tsu), nitari a brief smile of scheming or thinking 
oneself lucky at heart
17. ni(+ small tsu) a smug smile of self-satisfaction
18. nikkori said of a smile stronger than niko(+small tsu)/nikori. 
Here, the genitive is probably making this stronger.
19. niya(+small tsu)/niyari a grin of delight (said of a single smile 
that unconsciously appears at the moment one thinks all has gone well); 
to laugh up one's sleeve
20. niyaniya to grin (showing the teeth); to simper (with a nuance of 
being vlugar, repugnant)
21 .ninmari to smile a satisfied smile
22. hahha(+small tsu) to chortle (said of the sound of a merry laugh 
and for men only). hohho(+small tsu) for women.
23. pu(+small tsu) a sudden burst of laughter
24. fuffu(+small tsu) to laugh under one's breath
25. hehhe(+small tsu) a haughty or mean-spirited laugh; to laugh servilely
26. herahera a dubious laugh (said of a laugh when one is embarrassed 
or when one wants to deceive others)

I hope these are helpful. I can provide any particular sample sentences 
that are needed. BB.

Fritz Goerling wrote:
>
> 
>
> I am interested in how different kinds of laughter are expressed in 
> different languages and what principles (of word formation, 
> onomatopoeia, etc.) are followed in building these words.
>
> Some examples from English and German:
>
> 
>
> English German
>
> 
>
> to chuckle glucksen (not an exact equivalent)
>
> to giggle kichern
>
> to cackle gackern
>
> to snicker/snigger ?
>
> to titter one would have to describe 
> it by a paraphrase or show it
>
> 
>
> What elements enter into play as differentiating factors? Who does 
> what, when, under which circumstances?
>
> Agent (individual or group; gender), patient (absence or presence), 
> differences in rank (social situation)?
>
> 
>
> 
>
> Fritz Goerling
>
> 
>

 

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