The initiative, awarded under the Fondecyt Regular 2026 program to Dr. Domingo Román, a faculty member in the Department of Linguistics and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities, seeks to identify and systematize prosodic patterns—intonation, pauses, and rhythm —present in poetic recitation in Chile, incorporating voices from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds for analysis and pedagogical application.
The project, titled “Prosodic Models of Reciting Metrical Poetry in Chile,” aims to analyze how different actors—poets, teachers, students, practitioners of the oral tradition, and urban artists—recite poetry, intending to identify patterns in intonation, pauses, and vocal variations.
“We’ve all had some experience with poetry recitation, whether in school or by listening to great figures in the field. What we’re asking ourselves is how poetry is recited,” notes Dr. Román.
The research will address various poetic forms, ranging from the sonnet and the romance to the décima campesina and rap, creating a bridge between tradition and the contemporary. In this regard, the project also seeks to document cultural practices that form part of the oral heritage.
“We want to see how creators, teachers, students, and farmers recite poetry, and what rappers do with their work. It will be interesting to see the similarities and differences among these groups,” he explains.
The initiative stems from Dr. Román’s academic career and reflects a broader disciplinary shift toward integrating phonetic research with oral poetry and literary studies. “In the early days of linguistics, phoneticians studied poetry and worked with poets. That connection was gradually lost, and today we want to restore it,” he states.
A key milestone of this research is to develop objective models to analyze poetic recitation using acoustic measurements, such as fundamental frequency, pause duration, and pitch contours (vocal melody). To maximize impact, these findings will power a new digital tool designed to enhance learning, preserve oral tradition, and broaden public access to poetry.
“We’re going to develop a website where a person can recite a text and the system will indicate whether their recitation meets certain parameters. This will make it possible to bring the art of recitation to a wider audience,” he explains.
In terms of its connection to the Faculty of Humanities’ core values, the project stands out for its pluralistic and interdisciplinary approach, integrating diverse cultural expressions and promoting work with diverse communities.
“There is a plurality of artistic representations involved, ranging from rural to urban, and that resonates with the spirit of the university,” notes Román.
Likewise, the research connects with teacher training by providing concrete tools for teaching recitation and developing students’ expressive skills.
Regarding the project’s approval, the scholar acknowledges that “it’s a great achievement, because there are more and more applications and the competition is getting tougher. It’s a topic I’ve been working on for a long time,” he says proudly.
The initiative bridges advanced phonetic science and cultural heritage, highlighting the Faculty of Humanities' dedicated support for transformative research, artistic creation, and the promotion of diverse social expressions.