Phonetic reversal
Encyclopedia
Phonetic reversal is the process of reversing the phonemes of a word
or phrase
. When the reversal is identical to the original, the word or phrase is called a phonetic palindrome
. Phonetic reversal is not entirely identical to backmasking
, which is specifically the reversal of recorded sound. This is because pronunciation
in speech causes a reversed diphthong
to sound different in either direction (e.g. eye [aɪ] becoming yah [jɑː]), or differently emphasize a consonant
depending on where it lies in a word, hence creating an imperfect reversal. Backmasking involves not only the reversal of the order of phonemes, but the reversal of the phonemes themselves, which means that the reversed sound of a phrase may be hard to predict.
According to proponents of reverse speech
, phonetic reversal occurs unknowingly during normal speech.
Word
In language, a word is the smallest free form that may be uttered in isolation with semantic or pragmatic content . This contrasts with a morpheme, which is the smallest unit of meaning but will not necessarily stand on its own...
or phrase
Phrase
In everyday speech, a phrase may refer to any group of words. In linguistics, a phrase is a group of words which form a constituent and so function as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. A phrase is lower on the grammatical hierarchy than a clause....
. When the reversal is identical to the original, the word or phrase is called a phonetic palindrome
Phonetic palindrome
A phonetic palindrome is a portion of sound or phrase of speech which is identical or roughly identical when reversed.Some phonetic palindromes must be mechanically reversed, involving the use of sound recording equipment or reverse tape effects...
. Phonetic reversal is not entirely identical to backmasking
Backmasking
Backmasking is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward on to a track that is meant to be played forward...
, which is specifically the reversal of recorded sound. This is because pronunciation
Pronunciation
Pronunciation refers to the way a word or a language is spoken, or the manner in which someone utters a word. If one is said to have "correct pronunciation", then it refers to both within a particular dialect....
in speech causes a reversed diphthong
Diphthong
A diphthong , also known as a gliding vowel, refers to two adjacent vowel sounds occurring within the same syllable. Technically, a diphthong is a vowel with two different targets: That is, the tongue moves during the pronunciation of the vowel...
to sound different in either direction (e.g. eye [aɪ] becoming yah [jɑː]), or differently emphasize a consonant
Consonant
In articulatory phonetics, a consonant is a speech sound that is articulated with complete or partial closure of the vocal tract. Examples are , pronounced with the lips; , pronounced with the front of the tongue; , pronounced with the back of the tongue; , pronounced in the throat; and ,...
depending on where it lies in a word, hence creating an imperfect reversal. Backmasking involves not only the reversal of the order of phonemes, but the reversal of the phonemes themselves, which means that the reversed sound of a phrase may be hard to predict.
According to proponents of reverse speech
Reverse speech
Reverse speech is a pseudoscience first advocated by David John Oates which gained publicity when it was mentioned on Art Bell's nightly Coast to Coast AM radio talk show. It claims that during spoken language production, human speakers subconsciously produce hidden messages that give insights into...
, phonetic reversal occurs unknowingly during normal speech.
Examples
- In 1982, John Wright of NoMeansNoNomeansnoNoMeansNo is a Canadian progressive punk rock music group originally from Victoria, British Columbia and now located in Vancouver.The band has never had, nor have they seemed to pursue, strong mainstream success, but they do have a devoted underground following in North America and Europe...
sang phonetically reversed lyrics on the backing vocal to the "Rich Guns" track on the band's first album, Mama. - In the 1984 American film AmadeusAmadeus (film)Amadeus is a 1984 period drama film directed by Miloš Forman and written by Peter Shaffer. Adapted from Shaffer's stage play Amadeus, the story is based loosely on the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, two composers who lived in Vienna, Austria, during the latter half of the...
, lead character Wolfgang Mozart claims to Constanze Weber that "[in SalzburgSalzburg-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
] everything goes backwards." He then proceeds to deliver a series of phonetically reversed phrases, many of them vulgarVULGARVulgar is the fourth studio album released by Dir En Grey on September 10, 2003 in Japan and on February 21, 2006 in Europe. A limited edition containing an additional DVD was also released. It featured the video of the song "Obscure", albeit a censored version...
, which she must guess by reversing them out loud. - In the television drama Twin PeaksTwin PeaksTwin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
, the Man from Another PlaceMan from another placeThe Man from Another Place is a fictional character from the television series Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. He is an inhabitant of the Black Lodge, a realm of pure evil. Early on in the series, The Man gives Agent Dale Cooper clues to apprehending The Man's nemesis, BOB...
's character's speech was phonetically reversed. The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
then used the technique to parodyParodyA parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
that Twin Peaks episode in "Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)". - Singer-Songwriter-Multi-instrumentalist Jim Ure is better known by his phonetically reversed name Midge UreMidge UreJames "Midge" Ure, OBE is a Scottish guitarist, singer, keyboard player, and songwriter...
. - Kate BushKate BushKate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
used phonetic reversal in her songs Watching You Without Me (1985) and Leave it Open (1982). - On the song by RadioheadRadioheadRadiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
"Like Spinning PlatesLike spinning plates"Like Spinning Plates" is a song written by the British rock band Radiohead, featured on the 2001 album Amnesiac.The song was first recorded after a failed attempt to record "I Will", a track released on their later album Hail to the Thief. Lead singer Yorke then played the song in reverse, from...
", Thom Yorke actually sings the first verse voiced and sounded out backwards, and then the final cut of the album studio version has that superimposed back-maskedBackmaskingBackmasking is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward on to a track that is meant to be played forward...
as the first verse of the song so it would be cognizant as being sung forward to the listener, albeit with unnatural intonation and inflection apparent in his voice. - A specific recording of the phrase "In the mix" exists that is a phonetic palindrome, and is often used by Turntablist DJs for this reason.
- In the 2008 monster film Cloverfield, after the credits, a broken sound recording can be heard of Rob saying "...help us...", as at the end, him and his girlfriend were trapped under a bridge. If reversed, it sounds like Rob saying ...its still alive..."
- In 2008, backwards speaking radio sensation "Backwards Dave" (David Klempfner) performed on Australia's Got Talent saying "Does Australia Have Talent?" in phonetic reversal.
- Some people from the countryside of São Paulo stateSão Paulo (state)São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
, particularly around LinsLins, São PauloLins is a municipality in the western part of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2006 is 69,721 and the area is 527.98 km². The elevation is 437 m...
and SabinoSabinoSabino is a municipality in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. The population in 2004 was 5,146 and the area is 312.57 km². The elevation is 412 m....
use to talk backwards among them for fun.