Part of
Towards a Typology of Poetic Forms: From language to metrics and beyondEdited by Jean-Louis Aroui and Andy Arleo
[Language Faculty and Beyond 2] 2009
► pp. 123–142
Whereas three beats are normally enough to determine two measures of equal duration, the minimal metrical formula seems generally to be composed of 2-2 beats, the pairing of two couples of beats, from which can be derived periodical series of 2-2 beats (repeated slogans) or elaborations by metrical unbalancing (3-4 and 4-3 beats notably). Several aspects of these minimal combinations are studied here.