The Rhythm of Language

Music is not my strong suit. I'm rhythmically challenged and seem to have a mental block for all things musical. I passed Music Theory in college by the skin of my teeth and would never attempt to sing a solo if my life depended on it. However, it's impossible to avoid the melody of language that surrounds me.

One of my favorite activities in beginner English classes is teaching the alphabet song. My students walk around humming the tune and commit the English sounds to memory much more quickly when it's set to music. Every language has its own natural rhythm. In English, the stress of syllables gives our words a beat and can even change the meaning of words. To go even further, we can say that rhythm and language also help us to more clearly express ourselves and communicate meaning. This can be seen in the lyrics of songs and poetry. The rhythm of the words sets an emotional tone and helps imprint meaning in our minds.

One famous example of this can be found in the Bible in the book of Psalms. This book of poems and songs was used by the Israelites in worship, and is a collection of collections written by Moses, David, Solomon, and others. The meter of the lines, as well as the poetic techniques of the word choice gives each Psalm the emotional punch of meaning its composers were after. In order to fully appreciate these techniques the Psalms need to be heard and understood in their original language. For example, in Psalm 119 the technique of acrostic is used where succeeding letters of the Hebrew alphabet are used to begin each stanza. In numerous Psalms, word pairs are used for emphasis, alliteration and rhyme give rhythm to the lines, and anacrusis (one or more syllables at the beginning of a line of poetry, but not part of the line), draw attention to a thought by causing a pause.

All of these techniques blend together and produce a form of language that gives insight into the history, the culture, the emotions, and the mind set of the authors and those about whom they wrote. Of course poetry and music continues to be as alive today as it was more than a thousand years ago. Every language I've studied has its own music and poetry full of its own emotional rhythm. An essential part of learning the language is becoming familiar with its rhythm.

On a practical note, we ask our language professor to record dialogues which we listen to over and over. This helps us to catch the crazy Pulaar beat, and find the rhythm of their speech. (My own contribution to poetry for the day.)

The Pull of the Peuhl

Joni Joni (Right Away) offers sheep (xhar) and money (xhaliss)
drawings everyday leading up to Tabaski.

The baying of sheep is particularly loud this time of year because our town becomes overwhelmed with the Tabaski flocks. These sheep are  herded in by their Tukolor shepherds who have travel great distances from the Fuuta, a region of Senegal along the Senegal River to the east. The celebration of Tabaski in Senegal is a highly anticipated holiday. The markets become even livelier on the days leading up to the celebration as people cram into the tiny shops and ally ways in search of everything needed in order to prepare themselves and their homes for their special day.  Taylors work night and day, madly sewing new frocks for men, women and children. The noisy sheep on the street know their days are numbered as men sit and deliberate about which Tabaski ram is most suitable for their family feast.

Known in other parts of the world as Eid al-Adha, Tabaski is the Muslim holiday when believers and their families come together to kill the best ram they can afford to buy. Traditionally, this holiday is associated with the story of Abraham’s great faithfulness to God to the point of sacrificing his own son at God’s request. God spares the life of Abraham’s son and supplies a ram for sacrifice instead.  There are differences in the story between Christian and Muslim accounts and even a few twists in the stories recounted by our Senegalese neighbors, but the tradition of sacrifice to God remains common.

What does all this have to do with language learning? The Pulaar speaking Tukalor who flood our town each year with their herds are the reason we are learning this new language in the first place. God has placed this special people on our hearts and we desperately want to communicate with them in their own tongue. This time of year reminds us how language, culture and tradition are all tied together and how understanding shines through most clearly when you hear and understand the people in their heart language.