Animal sounds

[Kamisama]

I remember while learning in first year Japanese that animals in Nihon seem to have their own way that people act out thier sounds. I remember that Moo in english is, Muu in Nihongo. Well, I don't exactly remember the rest of them, which is why I'm starting this thread. People in Nihon don't sounds out a dogs bark as rough, or bark. They have another form for it, I believe it is.. wan wan? Does anyone know more about what I'm talking about or is it psycho babble?

 

[bossel]

I remember while learning in first year Japanese that animals in Nihon seem to have their own way that people act out their sounds. I remember that Moo in english is, Muu in Nihongo. Well, I don't exactly remember the rest of them, which is why I'm starting this thread. People in Nihon don't sounds out a dogs bark as rough, or bark. They have another form for it, I believe it is.. wan wan? Does anyone know more about what I'm talking about or is it psycho babble?

Onomatopoeia (the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it) is what you are talking about. Here are 2 lists with Japanese onomatopoeia (although I have doubts that really all of them are onomatopoetic):

Notes on Japanese Onomatopoeia
where you can also find 2 related book titles, if interested.

Japanese Onomatopoeia
shorter as the above, but with better detail (eg. pronunciation)