Trying to resolve the long-term polemic on “sound symbolism” in English, it is argued that both sound features and morphemes may convey meaning, but the way this happens, needs further scrutiny, and sound symbolism is often really symbolic, instead of using conventionalised abstract symbols (English also uses iconic expression means elsewhere than in sound.) The role of articulation in conveying meaning and controlling interpretation, needs to be clarified and sound meaning interpretation varies according to context.