Scrambling syllables in sung poetry of the Maldives

Abstract

The most popular form of poetry in Dhivehi (an Indo-Aryan language of the Maldives) before the twentieth century, raivaru, utilizes the scrambling of syllables as a poetic device. Scrambling harnesses processes typ- ically associated with language games. Yet, while players of language games transform words according to rigid processes, Maldivian poets scramble sylla- bles in response to six poetic constraints. Two broad forms of scrambling may be distinguished: intraword vs. long-distance. One factor that may influence the poet’s decision to scramble syllables in particular ways is the recitation melody.