What is a Sound Device?
Sound devices are literary methods that describe the sound of words in poetry. These devices are also called musical devices. You can choose different or similar sounds for a poem, repeat of the same sounds, or use words that are playful.
To appeal to the hearing sense, poets use sound devices. Poetry uses sound to express ideas.
Poetry sound devices are a great example of the distinction between prose or poetic language. They improve the meaning and make it easier to remember. They are enjoyable, easy to hear, and enrich the poetry's rhythm and musicality.
1. Poetry
Rhyme means repetition of words using the same sound in poetry. A rhyme scheme refers to a set of words that are similar in pronunciation.
Rhyming words are often found at the end lines. This is where the last line of a poem rhymes with its last line.
Internal rhyme occurs when rhyming terms appear in middle of lines.
Rhymes can be fun when used well, especially when read aloud. Poetry can become monotonous if it is forced to rhyme.
Example:
Below is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted by the Night".
I have been one with the night.
2. Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia (or sound device) is used to imitate the exact sound in a poem. To imitate the sound of the object in the poem, the poet creates a word.
It's a kind of sound symbolism. In other words, the letters signify a sound.
Some forms are easily recognized and understood by everyone, such as onomatopoeia.
- Splash!
- ding dong
- time is ticking
- sneeze
- Be quiet.
Other words that describe the sound can be used in poetry to denote it, such bark, bark, clattering and sizzling among others.
However, onomatopoeic sound may vary from one culture or language to the next.
In some cultures, MOOO represents the cow's sound. In my culture mooo (read oh ) is a known sound that cows make.
Onomatopoeia has its strength in that the poet is free to interpret the sound any way he or she likes. There is no right or wrong, unless the poet exaggerates or misrepresents sound to create dramatic effects.
Onomatopoeia can be found in poems and songs for children.
Example:
Here is a portion of Spike Milligan''s "On The Ning Nang Nong Nong"
The Ning Nang Nong
Bong, where the cows go!
All monkeys will yell "BOO!"
There is a Nong Nuang Ning
Where the trees go ping!
And the teapots jibber jabber.
3. Meter
Meter is a way to indicate the sound patterns in a poem. The poet's choice of words and the characteristics or syllables included in them determine the meter.
The type and number of syllables can affect the type or meters.
It's also important to pay attention to the position and number of stressed and unstressed lines in classical poetry.
The poet's innovative use of meter makes poems stand out.
The absence of a regular rhythm can make the free verse stand out.
The rhythm of a poem's "beats" or rhythm is greatly affected by metrical measures.
Example:
Here is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted With the Night". Each line has 10 vowels. These vowels follow a consistent pattern, with stressed and unstressed sounds. This type is called iambic pentameter. In the following excerpt, I highlighted the stressed words in bold letters.
Proclaimed that the time was right and wrong.
I was one of the first to know about the night.
4. Euphony
The use of harmony sounds in poetry is called euphony. This sound device can have a pleasant musicality effect and make it easy to recall the lines.
The words are sweet and invoke pleasant emotions. They may also be used ironically to identify euphony.
It's the use or combination of soft sounds and words (cacophony).
Example:
Here is a excerpt from William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".
I wandered around lonely like a cloud.
It is notable that the poet uses smooth sentences, mostly composed of smooth consonants land n and nasalconsonants h, as well as a lot o vowels. These lines have a pleasant and harmonious musicality when spoken aloud.
5. Elision
An elision is a poetical device in which a sound or syllable is not included. A poet could use either the first, second, or third syllables in a word.
The syllable affected in elision in classical and traditional poetry is replaced with an apostrophe
Sometimes, the line may be missing words or conjunctions.
Elision is like a contraction, as in "I's;m" instead or "I am".
However, elision does not mean cutting off. Some elisions include merging vowel sounds.
This device is used by poets to keep a consistent meter and rhythm.
Example:
Here is a excerpt from William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".
I wandered around alone like a cloud
It floats on top o',er vales hills.
Instead of using "over", a word with two syllables and combining vowel sounds, the poet used "o'" to make a syllable.
6. Discordance
Inharmonious rhythms in poems can lead to dissonance. Inharmonious poems are difficult to read and don't flow easily.
Cacophony and dissonance are related. Dissonance can also be referred to as cacophony.
It's the intentional use of sounds that are not in harmony with the surroundings.
However, dissonance is not limited to negative emotions such as anger or tension. Even though the sounds used may not be in harmony, it can still be melodic and convey joy.
Poetry can use dissonance to create a sense of harmony.
Example:
Below is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted With the Night." Although this poem's rhythm is harmonious due to its regular meter and assonance, it has some problems with the words chosen.
Note also how line 2 uses harmony harmoniously, but the next line has vowel sounds that are more consonant.
I have walked in rain and back in rain. [line 2]
I have walked to the farthest city lights. [line 3]
7. Agreement or harmony of sounds in poetry or music
Consonance is when consonant sounds are repeated within a line or paragraph of a poem.
These sounds can be repeated at either the beginning or end of words. They are not to be confused for alliteration.
Poems that may at first glance seem to rhyme can usually be used in consonance.
Example:
Here is a portion of Robert Frost's novel "Acquainted by the Night." The consonant sound is used repeatedly in th, , n, .
P and r declared that it was not wrong ight HTML3_ight.
I was one of the first to know about the night.
8. Cacophony
Cacophony uses harsh sounds to invoke unpleasant feelings like anger or annoyance.
This may happen unintentionally when poetry deals with difficult topics and has a harsh tone.
Cacophony can make it easy to recall a poem because of its forceful sounds. Cacophony can be used to emphasize dramatic poetry.
It's when you use harsh sounds instead of smooth sounds, words or phrases as in euphony. It is closely associated with dissonance.
When consonant sounds such as k or c, the g, and b, respectively, are close together, they can create cacophony.
Example:
Here is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted With the Night." The lines include a mix of many harsh consonant sounds, including , c and , as well as , k.t. , and _g.
However, you should not call me back or tell good-bye.
What is your opinion of the difference between dissonance or cacophony?
9. Repetition of the same vowel sound in nearby words
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in a line of poetry that is easily discernible.
It doesn't matter if the sounds are at the beginning, middle, or end of the words.
Often. Assonance arises when stressed words follow one another.
This sound device emphasizes the words and improves memorization.
Example:
Here is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted With the Night." You can see the repetition of vowel sounds o and a.
Pr oclaimed that wasn't nor wr .ng was .r right.
I was ane and acquainted the night.
10. Repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple words
Alliteration can be described as a sound device using consonant sounds that should not be confused for consonance.
The repeated consonant sounds of alliteration are found at the first letter in the sentence and can be heard.
Alliteration is a common unintentional phenomenon, but it can be used to emphasize sound effects and increase emphasis.
Alliteration can also be used for consonant clusters like "ch" or "th".
Example:
Below is a portion of Robert Frost's "Acquainted by the Night."
I have andtood andtill . is topped sound feet
