Page 37 - English Expedition Class 6

Sounds and Pronunciation

Onomatopoeia

Read these words from the poem.
droning s-sh!

Both these words have the common quality of imitating or suggesting the sound of the action that
they are referring to. Droning is the buzzing sound we hear when bees or beetles fl y about us. S-sh! is
the imitation of the shushing sound we make to keep someone quiet. The creation and use of such
words is called onomatopoeia (pronounced on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh).
Onomatopoeic words make language much more expressive and interesting, and many of these
words have now developed meanings of their own. For example, whispering stands for not only
the breathy sound of people talking very quietly, but also the action itself. Common onomatopoeic
words are often derived from sounds made by the wind, water, animals, and the speech and actions
of human beings.

Read the following sentences and underline the onomatopoeic words.

1. The teacher scolded the two friends for murmuring and giggling to each other in class.
2. The water of the stream gurgled and splashed over the smooth stones.
3. The leaves rustled and we heard the swish of a skirt.

4. George heard the hiss of a snake over the chattering of the monkeys above him.
5. The children gasped in wonder as the bird suddenly fl uttered its wings and fl ew away.

Appreciation

The poet uses repetition in the poem. Write down which phrase has been repeated. What idea
do you think is being emphasized by the repeated phrase?

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