I just found out that I have not written anything yet for this subject and since there is not so much time left I will start writing here. I am actually not very sure what the assignment is about but I will just write down my ideas for now.
From what I know, we will be doing an audio paper. To me, an audio paper is an academic article but presented in the format of audio with sounds and has a bit of artistic sense. In another word, it is somewhat like the audio book but focuses more the aesthetic on sounds, which almost sounds like. I feel like the more I explain the more I am confused so I will stop here but I think I have a brief understanding on what an audio paper is.
I have a very rough idea of the topic and I will ask Milo about it next week during the tutorial lessons. My idea for the topic would be:
Exploring how the sound “ɑː” (ah) constructs meanings in different scenarios and cultures.
The sound “ɑː” is probably the most common sound that everyone in the world can pronounce disregard their background and culture (unless they have mutism). We can find this sound in a lot of languages like “A” in English and many other latin based alphabet languages, “あ” in Japanese, “아” in Korean, “ا” in Arabic, “अ” in Hindi, etc. Interstingly, all the languages listed above start with “ɑː” from their alphabets. Is this a cooincidence? Is this conspiracy? Or is this a human nature?
I had a quick search on the web and I found that someone said most of the modern languages come from the ancient Semitic language, where “ɑː” is the first alphabet. I do agree with that, but I also think this is linked with human nature as well. “ɑː” is connected to our mind and body. A newborn baby cries in “ɑː” to communicate feelings and needs, we yawn with “ɑː” when we are tired and of course, when we step on a lego there is no doubt we will shout with “ɑː” because that is painful obviously.
“ɑː” also shows our emotions. When we are scared, we scream with “ɑː” in a high pitch. When we are about to rest after a tiring session with “ɑː” with a lower pitch slowly. When our favourite football team lost, we sighed with “ɑː” in disappointment.
Furthermore, this sound means a lot of things in different scenarios. In many martial arts, practitioners shout with “ɑː” to boost their confidence and power, as well as intimidate opponents. Personally, I play Kendo where we frequently shout to keep ourselves warm and stay in a better condition to perform well. In some meditation, people chant “ɑː” at a certain pitch to connect with the universe.
I think I might stop here and see how the idea sounds to Milo.