Sex-biased sound symbolism in French first names.

ABSTRACT:

Summary

Low- and high-frequency vowels in the stressed syllable of French first names may respectively project impressions of largeness/masculinity and smallness/femininity.

Abstract

Given that first names can have a lifelong impact on the bearer, parents should choose a name based on the impressions they want their offspring to evoke in other people. This name-to-mental-image association can be mediated through sound symbolism: a natural link between the sounds and meaning of a word. From an evolutionary perspective, parents should pick names which sounds convey traits advantageous in human sexual selection: largeness and masculinity for males through lower-frequency sounds as opposed to smallness and femininity for females through higher-frequency sounds. Using a database

SUBMITTER: Suire A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10427910 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature