The word soundscape is semantically paradoxical because sound cannot be seen.

Evidence

According to a more linguistically rigorous perspective, “sound” + “scape” results a semantic paradox because sound can be heard but not seen. It would be more correct to define the soundscape as the distribution of sounds across a landscape when the landscape is considered a geographic entity and not a complex cognitive agency (Farina 2006). — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology, 64

Categorization

• QUESTION: Interesting terminological tension — how does the settlement on ‘soundscape’ (despite the paradox) shape later usage? Worth noting against Payne’s perception-centered definition.
• XREF: connects to: A soundscape is composed of audible events rather than visible objects — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 28

Broader Connections

• A soundscape is composed of audible events rather than visible objects #responds-to (0.85) — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 28