Oral poetry: Difference between revisions
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'''Oral poetry''' is [[poetry]] that is composed and transmitted without the aid of writing. The complex relationships between written and spoken literature in some societies can make this definition hard to maintain. Oral poetry is sometimes considered to include any poetry which is performed live. In many cultures, oral poetry overlaps with, or is identical with, [[song]]. Meanwhile, although the term oral etymologically means 'to do with the [[mouth]]', in some cultures oral poetry is also performed by other means, such as [[Drum (communication)|talking drums]] in some African cultures. Oral poetry exists most clearly within [[oral culture]]s, but it can survive, and indeed flourish, in highly [[literacy|literate]] cultures. |
'''Oral poetry''' is [[poetry]] that is composed and transmitted without the aid of writing. The complex relationships between written and spoken literature in some societies can make this definition hard to maintain. Oral poetry is sometimes considered to include any poetry which is performed live. In many cultures, oral poetry overlaps with, or is identical with, [[song]]. Meanwhile, although the term oral etymologically means 'to do with the [[mouth]]', in some cultures oral poetry is also performed by other means, such as [[Drum (communication)|talking drums]] in some African cultures. Oral poetry exists most clearly within [[oral culture]]s, but it can survive, and indeed flourish, in highly [[literacy|literate]] cultures. |
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Oral poetry differs from [[oral literature]] in general because oral literature encompasses linguistic registers which are not considered poetry. In most oral literature, poetry is defined by the fact that it conforms to [[ |
Oral poetry differs from [[oral literature]] in general because oral literature encompasses linguistic registers which are not considered poetry. In most oral literature, poetry is defined by the fact that it conforms to [[Meter (poetry)|metrical rules]]; examples of non-poetic oral literature in Western culture include some [[jokes]], [[public speaking|speeches]] and [[storytelling]]. |
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An influential movement in the study of oral poetry, both because it helped to bring oral poetry within the realms of academic literary study and because it illuminated the ways in which poetic form and orality interrelate, has been the [[Oral-Formulaic Composition|oral-formulaic theory]] developed by [[Milman Parry]] and [[Albert Lord]]. This theory showed how stock phrases could enable poets to improvise verse. One consequence of Parry and Lord's work is that orally improvised poetry (as opposed to poetry which is composed without the use of writing but then memorised and performed later) is sometimes seen as the example ''par excellence'' of oral poetry. Examples of orally improvised poetry are the epics of the Serbo- |
An influential movement in the study of oral poetry, both because it helped to bring oral poetry within the realms of academic literary study and because it illuminated the ways in which poetic form and orality interrelate, has been the [[Oral-Formulaic Composition|oral-formulaic theory]] developed by [[Milman Parry]] and [[Albert Lord]]. This theory showed how stock phrases could enable poets to improvise verse. One consequence of Parry and Lord's work is that orally improvised poetry (as opposed to poetry which is composed without the use of writing but then memorised and performed later) is sometimes seen as the example ''par excellence'' of oral poetry. Examples of orally improvised poetry are the epics of the Serbo-Croatian ''guslar''s studied by Parry and Lord, Basque ''[[bertsolaritza]]'', and [[freestyle rap]]. |
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Much oral poetry, however, is memorised verbatim - though the precise wording, particularly of words which are not essential to sense or metre, do tend to change from one performance to another, and one performer to another.<ref>Rubin, David C. Memory in Oral Traditions: The Cognitive Psychology of Epic, Ballads, and Counting-out Rhymes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.</ref> Although the original composition of a memorised oral poem may have been undertaken without the use of writing, memorial traditions sometimes originate in a written text. Likewise, memorised oral poems can come to be written down, leading to a situation in which written versions in turn influence memorised versions. Prominent examples of memorised oral poetry are some [[nursery rhyme]]s, [[ballad]]s and medieval Scandinavian [[Skaldic_verse#Skaldic_poetry|skaldic verse]]. |
Much oral poetry, however, is memorised verbatim - though the precise wording, particularly of words which are not essential to sense or metre, do tend to change from one performance to another, and one performer to another.<ref>Rubin, David C. Memory in Oral Traditions: The Cognitive Psychology of Epic, Ballads, and Counting-out Rhymes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.</ref> Although the original composition of a memorised oral poem may have been undertaken without the use of writing, memorial traditions sometimes originate in a written text. Likewise, memorised oral poems can come to be written down, leading to a situation in which written versions in turn influence memorised versions. Prominent examples of memorised oral poetry are some [[nursery rhyme]]s, [[ballad]]s and medieval Scandinavian [[Skaldic_verse#Skaldic_poetry|skaldic verse]]. |
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* The ''improvvisazione in ottava rima'' of [[Tuscany]], Italy<ref>[http://www.accademiadellottava.it/filmati.html Accademia dell'Ottava] in Italian, accessed Apr 2011</ref> |
* The ''improvvisazione in ottava rima'' of [[Tuscany]], Italy<ref>[http://www.accademiadellottava.it/filmati.html Accademia dell'Ottava] in Italian, accessed Apr 2011</ref> |
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* The ''stornelli'' and other local traditions in other parts of Italy |
* The ''stornelli'' and other local traditions in other parts of Italy |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{reflist|1}} |
{{reflist|1}} |
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{{poetry-stub}} |
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[[Category:Poetics]] |
[[Category:Poetics]] |
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Revision as of 04:37, 18 February 2013
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Oral poetry is poetry that is composed and transmitted without the aid of writing. The complex relationships between written and spoken literature in some societies can make this definition hard to maintain. Oral poetry is sometimes considered to include any poetry which is performed live. In many cultures, oral poetry overlaps with, or is identical with, song. Meanwhile, although the term oral etymologically means 'to do with the mouth', in some cultures oral poetry is also performed by other means, such as talking drums in some African cultures. Oral poetry exists most clearly within oral cultures, but it can survive, and indeed flourish, in highly literate cultures.
Oral poetry differs from oral literature in general because oral literature encompasses linguistic registers which are not considered poetry. In most oral literature, poetry is defined by the fact that it conforms to metrical rules; examples of non-poetic oral literature in Western culture include some jokes, speeches and storytelling.
An influential movement in the study of oral poetry, both because it helped to bring oral poetry within the realms of academic literary study and because it illuminated the ways in which poetic form and orality interrelate, has been the oral-formulaic theory developed by Milman Parry and Albert Lord. This theory showed how stock phrases could enable poets to improvise verse. One consequence of Parry and Lord's work is that orally improvised poetry (as opposed to poetry which is composed without the use of writing but then memorised and performed later) is sometimes seen as the example par excellence of oral poetry. Examples of orally improvised poetry are the epics of the Serbo-Croatian guslars studied by Parry and Lord, Basque bertsolaritza, and freestyle rap.
Much oral poetry, however, is memorised verbatim - though the precise wording, particularly of words which are not essential to sense or metre, do tend to change from one performance to another, and one performer to another.[1] Although the original composition of a memorised oral poem may have been undertaken without the use of writing, memorial traditions sometimes originate in a written text. Likewise, memorised oral poems can come to be written down, leading to a situation in which written versions in turn influence memorised versions. Prominent examples of memorised oral poetry are some nursery rhymes, ballads and medieval Scandinavian skaldic verse.
Regional and national traditions
Poetical improvisation is a living tradition in many parts of the world. Regional traditions may include but surely are not limited to:
- La Payada in Argentina
- Basque Bertsolaritza
- Maltese għana[2]
- The canto a braccio of Lazio, Italy[3]
- The improvvisazione in ottava rima of Tuscany, Italy[4]
- The stornelli and other local traditions in other parts of Italy
See also
References
- ^ Rubin, David C. Memory in Oral Traditions: The Cognitive Psychology of Epic, Ballads, and Counting-out Rhymes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
- ^ Għana Spirtu Pront, in Maltese Wikipedija, accessed Apr 2011
- ^ Festival Regionale di Canto a Braccio, Borbona (RI) in Italian, accessed Apr 2011
- ^ Accademia dell'Ottava in Italian, accessed Apr 2011