What is ablaut reduplication? You’ve been using it without even realizing.
Ablaut reduplication is a quirky linguistic rule in English that most native speakers follow instinctively—without even knowing it. Think of phrases like zig-zag, flip-flop, or tick-tock. Ever wonder why they sound right in that order and not the other way around? That’s ablaut reduplication in action.
Much like the unwritten rule of adjective order in English, ablaut reduplication is a pattern we use naturally. We rarely recognize this pattern. It’s one of those hidden grammar rules that gives English its distinctive rhythm and flow.
If you’ve ever been curious about why ding-dong sounds better than dong-ding, it’s time to learn about ablaut reduplication. Dive into this fascinating world of word-nerdiness!
Ablaut Reduplication
In linguistics, reduplication refers to the repetition of a word. It can also involve the pairing of two words that sound similar. This technique is used to create emphasis, rhythm, or a playful effect. English features several types of reduplication, and one of the most fascinating is ablaut reduplication.
Ablaut reduplication involves pairs of words that differ only in their internal vowel sounds, like ping-pong or mish-mash. This pattern follows a subtle but consistent rule that most English speakers use without ever being taught.
Want to test your instincts? Check out the examples below and see if you can spot the unwritten rule behind ablaut reduplication.
- Bric-a-brac
- Chitchat
- Crisscross
- Dillydally
- Ding-dong
- Fiddle-faddle
- Flimflam
- Jibber jabber
- Kitty cat
- Knickknack
- Mishmash
- Ping-pong
- Pitter-patter
- Riffraff
- Shilly-shally
- Singsong
- Splish-splash
- Ticktock
- Tip-top
- Tittle-tattle
- Wishy-washy
- Zigzag
The Unwritten Ablaut Reduplication Rule
Did you see the pattern?
In all these ablaut reduplication word pairs, the key vowels appear in a specific order: either i before a, or i before o.
In linguistic terms, you could say that a high vowel comes before a low vowel. The i sound is considered a high vowel. This is due to the location of the tongue compared to the mouth in American speech. The a and o sounds are low vowels.
See-saw doesn’t use the letter i, but the high-vowel-before-low-vowel pattern still applies.
Cool, right? If you think of any counter examples, let us know!
Five Other Types of Reduplication
1. Rhyming Reduplication
Rhyming reduplication refers to simple word pairs that rhyme:
- Boogie-woogie
- Easy-peasy
- Hoity-toity
- Hokey-pokey
- Ragtag
- Razzle-dazzle
- Super-duper
- Teenie-weenie
- Walkie-talkie
2. Exact Reduplication
Exact reduplication employs repeated words evocative of baby talk, which soften the tone of the topic:
- Bye-bye
- Choo-choo
- Night-night
- No-no
3. Shm- Reduplication
Shm- reduplication is a feature of American English with Yiddish roots. This expression shows indifference by pairing a word with a made-up version of the first word. The first consonant is replaced by shm.
- Baby-shmaby
- Cancer-shmancer
- Fancy-shmancy
4. Comparative Reduplication
Comparative reduplication repeats an adjective to show an object’s change over time:
- My spaceship went higher and higher.
- Her skin got paler and paler.
Comparative reduplication can avoid unintentional comparisons to another object, for instance:
- My spaceship went higher [than his spaceship].
- Her skin got paler [than his skin].
5. Contrastive Focus Reduplication
Contrastive focus reduplication uses stressed repetition to highlight the distinction between a noun’s essence and its literal state:
- I’m awake, but I’m not AWAKE-awake.
- Is it just hot, or is it HOT-hot?
- Are you saying that as television Tim, or TIM-tim?
Why Does It Matter?
First, new words are being created all the time. Wordsmiths who want to add fresh ideas to our collective lexicon should pay attention. If you want your pioneering ablaut reduplication to catch on fist-fast, then follow the rule.
Second, Word People understand that language should be celebrated! It’s our heritage, and it’s fun!
The Unwritten Adjective Rule
It turns out that there is another unwritten rule in English grammar—one that most people have never noticed before. Adjective categories always come in a particular order. Any effort to change this order just sounds…well… BAD.
Don’t believe us? We’ll prove it.