Onomatopoeia
These are phrases that I have begun to notice in my everyday speech, popping up as natural reactions. Pronounced as something very much sounding like over-pronounced, over-emphasized Chinese, they carry connotations that are difficult for my English paradigm to approach, such as conceptions of aggression or sarcasm that my verbose dialect does not handle easily, but that are increasingly important to my conceptions of society and social interaction. There are more, and I'll add them as I take note of them.
"Thdo czhi tseu'ah": comprised of three onomatopoeia, this phrase translates directly as "Conflict boiling, now revealed". "Thdo" is pronounced as a "d" sound but with your tongue in the "th" position and is the sound of a dewdrop hitting still water, signifying a beginning. "Czhi" is really a range of possible sounds, from "chi" to "tzuh" to "tstheh", all signifying conflict through the image of objects clashing. "Tseu'ah" is the sound of steam being released, slowly at first, but then more quickly, and signifies a resolution or revealing.
-In speech, "thdo czhi tseu'ah" is used as a reaction to unexpectedly aggressive statements, or statements that make clear a previously unspoken or hidden state of affairs. Typically pronounced sarcastically, the phrase welcomes the challenge or new circumstance as a pronouncement of honesty, as if to say, "Thank you for being honest; now we may war in earnest."
"Fhwa fhwa fhwa": strictly onomatopoeic, this phrase is the sound of a giant's laughter, signifying the rejection of a challenge either by being bigger than it or by laughing it off and backing away.
-In speech, "fhwa fhwa fhwa" comes out naturally as a playful statement. A conversant replies like a cat growling, and the giant laughs off the situation: "Hah, a cat! How cute!" or "Wah, nice kitty, I didn't mean nothin' by it."
"Treu'ah": "Oh, is that so?" A call of inquiry to the self, asking something like, "Why do I believe this person and his business?" Although an interior question, it is uttered to be heard, and challenges the audience to prove the worth of their opinions.
"Tchuh": a sigh, inheriting some of the conflict image from "tseu'ah" to imply the speaker is dealing with an ongoing problem that has yet to be resolved.
"Ouhs": a grunt, of resolution and humble strength, like a weary soldier forging on after months of war and chaos. Used when lifting objects, opening doors, taking blows, and getting the air knocked out of you.
"Thdo czhi tseu'ah": comprised of three onomatopoeia, this phrase translates directly as "Conflict boiling, now revealed". "Thdo" is pronounced as a "d" sound but with your tongue in the "th" position and is the sound of a dewdrop hitting still water, signifying a beginning. "Czhi" is really a range of possible sounds, from "chi" to "tzuh" to "tstheh", all signifying conflict through the image of objects clashing. "Tseu'ah" is the sound of steam being released, slowly at first, but then more quickly, and signifies a resolution or revealing.
-In speech, "thdo czhi tseu'ah" is used as a reaction to unexpectedly aggressive statements, or statements that make clear a previously unspoken or hidden state of affairs. Typically pronounced sarcastically, the phrase welcomes the challenge or new circumstance as a pronouncement of honesty, as if to say, "Thank you for being honest; now we may war in earnest."
"Fhwa fhwa fhwa": strictly onomatopoeic, this phrase is the sound of a giant's laughter, signifying the rejection of a challenge either by being bigger than it or by laughing it off and backing away.
-In speech, "fhwa fhwa fhwa" comes out naturally as a playful statement. A conversant replies like a cat growling, and the giant laughs off the situation: "Hah, a cat! How cute!" or "Wah, nice kitty, I didn't mean nothin' by it."
"Treu'ah": "Oh, is that so?" A call of inquiry to the self, asking something like, "Why do I believe this person and his business?" Although an interior question, it is uttered to be heard, and challenges the audience to prove the worth of their opinions.
"Tchuh": a sigh, inheriting some of the conflict image from "tseu'ah" to imply the speaker is dealing with an ongoing problem that has yet to be resolved.
"Ouhs": a grunt, of resolution and humble strength, like a weary soldier forging on after months of war and chaos. Used when lifting objects, opening doors, taking blows, and getting the air knocked out of you.