Category: Language and Culture
I wondered what some of yall would think about this topic. I came across it in an email, and thought it interesting.
a Chinese lad, a student, who liked the word(s) cellar door -- not as a word,
but rather as the most musical combination of sounds he had heard in our
language.
Some other examples and their proponents:
Dr. Wilfred Funk: tranquil, golden, hush, bobolink, thrush, lullaby,
murmuring, luminous, cerulean, melody, mist, and others ...
Charles Swain Thomas: melody
Irvin S. Cobb: Chattanooga
Louis Untermeyer: willow, lovely, limpid, laughter
Lew Sarett: vermillion
George Nevin: lovely
Elias Lieberman: nevermore
Stephen D. Wise: nobility.
What words do you tend to find are musical or flowing?
Interesting subject.
I am not sure if i understand your question correctly but some musical words that are used in the English language are major, minor, for example a minor issue sharp like sharp knife, flat like thir drink is flat when we are talking about sodas as you call them in the USA and much more. These words can be used in music as well as in everyday life.
what I mean, is some english words are flowing, almost musical. they arn't musical in subject, but in the way thay sound. like
waterfall
languid
lol, I don't know if you can understand what I mean.. it's difficult.
Ok thanks for the explanation. I can understand what you mean now.
If i think of any words i will post them.
almost all words are musical in some way, forgiven, discloses, melody, it really depends on what notes are sung when singing the word, but music is so beautiful that you can pretty much take any word and make it sound good.
If you are after musicality in language get yourself to Ireland..there aren't many in Scots but those that refer to bad weather are wonderful. Blatter, blashie,snell for a cold snowy wind,drookit means soaken.
hmmmmm... I like the word waterfall.