05-06-2014, 10:14 AM
Rather than re-writing what I have already written, I'll just past this in from the poem that started the above new thread.
RE: The Wild Wind
Call it what it is, reversed syntax. English is a Germanic language although 60% of the words in English are derived from Old French. The reversed syntax came as a result of the Norman (French) invasion of 1066. To impress the French court poets wrote sonnets in English, but often reversed the syntax to sound "high falutin", like it came from the french court. Writing strictly in IP can often seem to force one into reverse syntax, as it is also not native to English, however this poem is not written in IP, but in "accentual tetrameter" as it is primarily devoid of any consistent meter; as such there is really no excuse for reversed syntax other than as an affectation, that is to make it "sound" more poetic like. I would advise avoiding it, just as I would advise avoid not capitalizing all "i"'. There is simply no rationalization for it, and it is affectation pure and simply.
addendum: The reason is simple why no inversions, it leads to less clear writing, and writing that is more easily misunderstood. If one is going to go to the trouble of writing something, then posting it for others to read, would that person not wish to be understood? If a person is purposefully writing to obfuscate, then they are not interesting in writing poetry, but in playing tricks. I do not mean this when it is used in certain forms such as satire, I mean when it is used to make one appear "deep" when he really has nothing of import to say, or to cover over his lack of skill.
Dale
RE: The Wild Wind
Call it what it is, reversed syntax. English is a Germanic language although 60% of the words in English are derived from Old French. The reversed syntax came as a result of the Norman (French) invasion of 1066. To impress the French court poets wrote sonnets in English, but often reversed the syntax to sound "high falutin", like it came from the french court. Writing strictly in IP can often seem to force one into reverse syntax, as it is also not native to English, however this poem is not written in IP, but in "accentual tetrameter" as it is primarily devoid of any consistent meter; as such there is really no excuse for reversed syntax other than as an affectation, that is to make it "sound" more poetic like. I would advise avoiding it, just as I would advise avoid not capitalizing all "i"'. There is simply no rationalization for it, and it is affectation pure and simply.
addendum: The reason is simple why no inversions, it leads to less clear writing, and writing that is more easily misunderstood. If one is going to go to the trouble of writing something, then posting it for others to read, would that person not wish to be understood? If a person is purposefully writing to obfuscate, then they are not interesting in writing poetry, but in playing tricks. I do not mean this when it is used in certain forms such as satire, I mean when it is used to make one appear "deep" when he really has nothing of import to say, or to cover over his lack of skill.
Dale
How long after picking up the brush, the first masterpiece?
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.