Susanne Fuchs, Language, communication and the brain – ILCB/Iméra chairholder at Iméra (Institute for Advanced Study of Aix Marseille Université), contributed to an international study on the associations between linguistic sounds and visual perceptions, published in The Journal of Acoustical Society of America on November 20th, 2024.
This research, conducted across 28 languages, investigates how the rolled “R” sound is linked to rough surfaces, while the “L” sound is associated with smooth surfaces, reinforcing a deep connection between auditory, visual, and tactile perception.
The findings reveal that up to 98% of participants associate the rolled “R” with a jagged line and the “L” with a smooth line—a phenomenon observed even in languages where these sounds are not distinguished. According to the authors, these universal correspondences, rooted in acoustic properties, may have shaped language evolution by influencing how we describe textures and shapes.
“Overall, the results provide strong evidence of robust iconic associations between sounds and tactile or visual perceptions. They suggest that the rolled ‘R,’ due to its acoustic characteristics, establishes a universal connection with ‘roughness,’ regardless of cultural or linguistic context. These cross-modal correspondences may have influenced the development of spoken languages by shaping the words we use to describe texture and form,” explains the researcher.
Read the publication to find out more about these results.
