The transformation of syllabic meters in Kazakh children’s poetry

Abstract

The article explores the rhythmic transformation of Kazakh children’s poetry through the lens of poetic meters based on 7-8 and 11 syllables. The study focuses on the distinctive rhythmic and structural modifications of these meters, which form the foundation of Kazakh verse. This transformation is illustrated through the literary and creative experiments of poets such as S. Toraygyrov, E. Yelubai, M. Zhamanbalinov, K. Zhalenova, A. Yesten, K. Myrza Ali, E. Yerbotin, and B. Serikbaiuly. Traditional 7-8- and 11-syllable
meters possess rich rhythmic and melodic potential, which has enabled Kazakh poetry to evolve both in content and in form. In written children’s poetry, these meters — widely used in children’s folklore — have undergone significant changes in rhythm, sound, and melody. This is especially evident in poems written for children born in the second half of the 20th century. The article examines the formal and rhythmic transformation of Kazakh children’s poetry within the categories of tradition and innovation. Although the general structure of Kazakh poetry has been previously studied, children’s poetry has not yet been treated as a
distinct object of research. From this perspective, the article presents, for the first time, a focused analysis of rhythmic modification in Kazakh children’s poetry.This research provides literary scholars, verse theorists, and folklorists with a deeper understanding of the rhythmic and intonational features of Kazakh children’s verse and offers a methodological foundation for studying structural changes in Kazakh poetry. Furthermore, the findings may be useful in teaching children’s poetry in school curricula and in preparing educational materials and literature textbooks. For contemporary Kazakh poets and authors of children’s literature, the study serves as a guide to effectively employing both traditional and innovative rhythmic-intonational systems in their creative work. Overall, the results present scholarly insights into the modern transformation of traditional meters and the increasing complexity of the intonational system in Kazakh children’s poetry.