Study Finds Universal Link Between Speech Sounds and Texture Perception

Research shows trilled R sounds are associated with roughness and jagged shapes, while L sounds are linked to smoothness and straight lines across cultures.

A study involving over 1,000 participants speaking 28 languages found that 94% matched trilled R sounds to jagged lines and 84% matched L sounds to smooth lines.
The findings suggest these sound-to-sensation associations are more universal than the well-known bouba/kiki effect, which links certain sounds to shapes.
The trilled R's connection to roughness was consistent even in languages without the sound, such as Mandarin and Japanese, indicating a deep-rooted perceptual link.
Speakers of languages that use the trilled R less frequently showed slightly stronger associations, suggesting conventional use may diminish its iconicity.
Researchers propose these sound-symbolic patterns may have influenced the evolution of spoken languages, shaping how we describe texture and shape.