ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the learning of poetic language in oral traditions as a form of language learning in general. By poetic language all that is meant is a style of language, clearly distinguishable to native speakers, that makes use of the repetition of surface structure for artistic purpose. This style is usually sung and is often accompanied by music, though it need not be. Learning a poetic language that is an oral tradition should not be confused with the rote learning of poems or with the learning of a literate poet's style. Rather, learning a poetic language is similar in many ways to learning a first language. For instance, poetic language, like a first language, is typically learned with only very limited special tutoring. The poetic language learned is often as productive and rule bound as a first language, though the rules are often more restrictive. Moreover, like a first language, poetic language is widespread and varies greatly from one society to another (Finnegan, 1977). Oral traditions using Homeric Greek, Serbo-Croatian, Anglo-Saxon, and English are presented as examples before implications are drawn.
