Okay, that may sound strange but...

[katikat]

... what picture do you see when you hear this sentence:

"See!" the wizard screeched. "Underbridge!"

What sound would that be? Would he be yelling or sorta whimpering? I say yelling. My would-be corrector says, the wizard is whimpering... I know, context, but context aside here for a minute.

Comments

[umegaki.livejournal.com]

I'd say yelling too.

[koyote19.livejournal.com]

It's halfway between yelling and nails down a chalkboard. Kind of a shrill yell combined with a shriek.

I've heard Screech Owls before, and they sound kind of like you hammered a nail through one foot rather than a soft hoot like most owls.

[keire-ke.livejournal.com]

IMHO it's a scream by someone who'd just coughed his lungs out. So yeah, more yelling than whimpering.

[michalyn.livejournal.com]

I'd say a shriek which is more like a yell. I don't get the whimpering thing at all.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Thought so. Thank you! :)

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Exactly! One doesn't say "screeched to a halt" for nothing, right? :P Thanks for the help!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Heh, it's a great feeling when one is right :P Thank you!

[katikat.livejournal.com]

One of the words that's used to translate "screech" in Czech can be used for whimpering too. Don't ask me why :D Thank you for your help! :)