Learning Poetic Language

Abstract

This chapter examines the learning of poetic language in oral traditions as a form of language learning in general. By poetic language all that is meant is a style of language, clearly distinguishable to native speakers, that makes use of the repeti­ tion of surface structure for artistic purpose. This style is usually sung and is often accompanied by music, though it need not be. Learning a poetic language that is an oral tradition should not be confused with the rote learning of poems or with the learning of a literate poet’s style. Rather, learning a poetic language is similar in many ways to learning a first language. For instance, poetic language, like a first language, is typically learned with only very limited special tutoring. The poetic language learned is often as productive and rule bound as a first language, though the rules are often more restrictive. Moreover, like a first language, poetic language is widespread and varies greatly from one society to another (Finnegan, 1977). Oral traditions using Homeric Greek, Serbo-Croa­ tian, Anglo-Saxon, and English are presented as examples before implications are drawn.