I have no idea if there's research directly linking the two areas together, but what you're describing sounds more like a form of synesthesia than this more gen

I have no idea if there's research directly linking the two areas together, but what you're describing sounds more like a form of synesthesia than this more general effect. When I think of "bouba" and "kiki" I don't have any mental visualization...it's just that if I see these shapes and have to name them, one pairing feels a little more "right" than the other. Having mental visualizations associated with particular words, letters, musical notes, etc. is synesthesia. It's also very, very cool. And I guess the article does note near the bottom that there may be some relationship. But the bouba/kiki effect is definitely more widespread than synesthesia.