Semantic Features of Onomatopoeic and Mimetic Words in the Korean Language

Abstract

The study of onomatopoeic and mimetic words in the Korean language has attracted growing attention in recent years, as these lexical units not only enrich the expressive potential of speech but also reflect unique cultural and linguistic features of Korean society. This article focuses on the semantic features of Korean onomatopoeic and mimetic expressions, which occupy a significant position in both everyday communication and literary discourse. Unlike many Indo-European languages, Korean is characterized by an extensive and systematic use of sound-symbolic vocabulary, with a well-developed distinction between onomatopoeic words, which imitate natural and environmental sounds, and mimetic words, which convey manner, state, movement, or appearance. The annotation outlines how these lexical categories function as powerful tools of imagery, contributing to the vividness and emotional depth of communication. By analyzing semantic groups of onomatopoeic and mimetic words, the research identifies key features such as intensity, repetition, sound symbolism, and gradation of meaning. Moreover, attention is given to the morphological structure of such words, their reduplicated forms, and the semantic nuances achieved through vowel harmony and consonant alternations. These structural-semantic correlations play a crucial role in differentiating shades of meaning, for example, in distinguishing subtle variations in speed, size, or emotional states. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the cultural-linguistic importance of these words in Korean: they are frequently used in literature, songs, films, and especially in spoken discourse to convey emotions and sensory impressions that might otherwise remain unexpressed. Their semantic richness also makes them vital in language learning, translation studies, and intercultural communication, as their exact meanings often lack direct equivalents in other languages. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the semantic features of Korean onomatopoeic and mimetic words by situating them at the intersection of linguistics, culture, and communication. It highlights their role as a unique phenomenon that embodies both the cognitive processes of categorizing sensory experience and the cultural specificity of the Korean worldview.