Sometimes I wonder if the Japanese language is has so much onomatopoeia because the phonological structure leads to it or whether their interest in onomatopoeia lead to phonological structures reminiscent of it. Here’s one of the most difficult words to say that I know in Japanese:

暖かくなかった (Kanji)
あたたかくなかった (Hiragana)
atatakakunakatta (Rōmaji)
/atatakɯnakatta/ (IPA)

This is an adjective meaning it wasn’t warm outside. Because of the length and the very regular CV syllable pattern, this is a tongue twister for me and sounds like onomatopoeia for attacking. Of course, my (incorrect) interpretation is clearly influenced by the English word attack having a similar phonological structure (/ətæk/), but this repetition fits words that are accepted as Japanese onomatopoeia as well:

じろじろ見る (Kanji)
じろじろみる (Hiragana)
jirojiromiru (Rōmaji)
/dʑiɾodʑiɾomiɾɯ/ (IPA)

This means to stare (or, more literally, to look staringly). Although I’m sure this word goes back further than the invention of lasers, that’s what I think of when I hear the initial sound: lasers coming out of someone’s eyes.

Regardless of whether the chicken or the egg won this battle, I’m glad the battle happened as it gives me something to write (and chuckle) about.