Linguistics researchers have discovered a word with a universal meaning worldwide. No need to translate it, it is understandable regardless of the spoken language.
In a world where languages are counted in the thousands, few words cross borders. However, there is at least one that all human beings, whatever its origin, instantly recognizes. Neither cultural barriers nor grammatical differences alter it: it is universal.
Researchers in bioacoustic and linguistics of the CNRS and the dynamic language laboratory of the Lyon 2 University have studied hundreds of languages in order to see if certain communication elements were understandable in different Lagues. And they were not limited to words, they also collected more than 600 interjections of pain, disgust, surprise, fear and joy.
Indeed, humans are particularly expressive vocally. In addition to speaking, we laugh, groans, sobs or cry. Scientists call these sounds produced by non -linguistic vocalizations. To express our emotions, we use interjections, like “Ouch” or “Wow”, which do not grammatically combine with other words. And it may be where the key to understanding is hidden.
According to their article published in Scientific American, researchers have found that sounds like laughter, cries of fear or pain groans are universally identified, even by people who have never been exposed to these languages - unlike interjections of joy or disgust, which vary more depending on the cultures. It emerges from their study that the word – or the sound – Ouch! is immediately understandable by anyone in the world, especially if it is accompanied by a grimace or swear on! This spontaneous cry of pain is universal.
More generally, it emerges from their research that only the pain induces exactly the same vocal schemes in all cultures. In fact, these sound manifestations, deeply rooted in our biology, play a fundamental role in human communication. Beyond words and dialects, there is therefore an expression that is understood universally. Be reassured, if you hurt yourself, everyone will understand it, whatever the place in the world where you are!