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A Reflection on Rhythm in Speech, Poetry and so forth

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2016

Abstract

This article imagines the normal understanding of rhythm as true structures and against which stand the understanding of the opposition of meter versus rhythm in the Czech versological tradition or the French 'neoplatonic' approach to rhythm with an emphasis on meaning and subject. This article is devoted as well to the rhythm of the spoken output of various languages and reminds on the division of languages by isochrony and isosyllabism.

It will further examine the role of rhythmic language types in a selection of versifying systems and other circumstances, which influence these choices. The final part of the article will concern the rhythmical experiments of Otakar Theer and his drama Faëthón, perhaps one of the most expansive Czech texts written in accentual verse.