How universal are children's verse rhythms?: Some Tsonga evidence

Abstract

Among the features claimed to be universal in the rhythmical patterning of children's verse, are the four-beat verse line and the four verse line stanza. These claims are described and discussed within the context of African oral poetry in general and of Tsonga children's verse in particular. Evidence from recent research in this field, inspired by Rycroft's work, partly substantiates and partly refutes these universalista claims. Apart from rhythmical patterning, other features examined in this article include those of stanzaic structure, functional criteria, the presence or absence of melody, the nature of participation and other performance features.

Onder die kenmerke wat na bewering universeel in die ritmiese patrone van kinderpoësie sou wees, is die vier slagmaatreëls en die vier-reëlige verse. Hierdie aansprake word binne die konteks van die mondelinge vers in Afrika in die algemeen, en in besonder van Tsonga kinders se mondelinge poësie, beskryf en bespreek. Onlangse navorsing op hierdie gebied, wat deur Rycroft se werk geïnspireer is, bewys dat sodanige aansprake op universele kenmerke gedeeltelik ondersteun en ook gedeeltelik weerlê word. Die ritmiese patroonvorming asook die aspekte van versstruktuur, funksionele kriteria, die aan- of afwesigheid van melodie, die aard van deelname en ander uitvoerende kenmerke, word in hierdie artikel ondersoek.