Wednesday, January 26, 2011

In the Beginning was . . . Rhythm

There is, as far as I am aware, no published research on recall based on learners having kinesthetically or haptically experienced a text or conversation by producing it with more or less pronounced rhythmic grouping. (There is, however, considerable research in language and cogntive processing related to comprehension of parsed versus non-parsed text.) In the meantime, we assume that the parallel applies. In HIPoeces, the learner, in encountering a new text to be spoken, should very quickly be directed to firmly anchor the rhythm grouping (what we call Focal Output Groups) so that in all subsequent oral practice of the text, the rich "felt sense" of the groupings is maintained. Rhythm not only compresses syllable groups but it also provides a strong, patterned link back to the "melody," as well.

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