Whenever I hear the sound “ah”, my first thought is always different and I think it is affected by my mood and the situation at the time. For example, during kendo training session the ahs it reminds of kiai that I need to shout. When I was watching an opera the ahs made me think of what note is that as I have perfect pitch. This is something that is not worth to mention in my opinion. However, when I think about it I recognise that these “meaningless” sounds contruct meanings to me. I found the idea aligns with the Dolar’s (2006, p.552) idea that the notion of a linguistic of the non-voice would seem preposterous if there is only the linguistic of the signifier but not the voice.
In this audio paper, I have been playing different sounds of “ah”. Oftentimes we tend to ignore them unconsciously as there are distractions around us. So I believe that bringing this unnoticed sound out is a way of awry listening that leads to a rethinking of listening to itself as a practice (Drobnick, 2004, p.15).
My first language is Cantonese. And in Cantonese, we use a lot of interjections within sentences such as 呢 (le), 啊 (ah), 喎 (wo) for expressions in different occasions. These interjections come out naturally and has no meaning. However, it just feels weird and distant if we stop using them. Having this experience for my entire life, I believe it sort of unconsciouly and passively made me to decide having “ah” as the topic. I guess I am just familiar with it.
I have also mentioned the fact that a lot of alphabets starting with A. I have done some researches on that and all the evidences points towards to the ancient Phonecian alphabet. So the question here would be, why does the Phonecian alphabet start with A? Unfortunately, I cannot find any answers so far and I guess the only to know the answer to time travel back to the time. Therefore, I assume that is because “Ah” is the easiest and most basic sound that we humans can make.
I have to acknowledge that actually not all the languages that includes “ah”. Examples would be whistle languages and morse code. However, these are not spoken languages and they are use for special purposes. I would also argue that even a person is inarticulate and unable express him/herself with words, he or she can still say the word “ah”. At least he or she definitely yell with “Ah” when afraid or in pain, it is a human nature.
There are many other “ah” examples in numerous occasions and I believe they mean different things as well. But “Ah” is not the only voice that gives meanings.
…what about eh, what about ou, what about oo, what about…
There are other we often don’t really pay attention to as well. Just talking about “ah” is actually too much for now.
Assignments are done and it’s finally holiday. Ah…
Reference
Dolar, M. (2006) A voice and nothing more. Cambridge, MAU: The Mit Press.
Drobnick, J. (2004) Aural cultures. Toronto, Ont.: Walter Phillips Gallery Editions.