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Two-voice theory

Concept
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A theoretical approach to poetry that foregrounds dialogic or polyphonic expression through multiple voices, perspectives, or consciousnesses within a single work.

Detailed Definition
Two-voice theory describes aesthetic approaches emphasizing dialogue, exchange, or responsiveness as fundamental to meaning. This philosophy values intersubjective dimensions, treating poetry as conversation rather than monologue and foregrounding relational aspects of language.
Example
Example in poetry:
Two-voice theory appears in Greek strophe/antistrophe; In dialogic poems like Frost’s “The Death of the Hired Man”; In Gwendolyn Brooks’ “The Anniad,” dual narrative voices; In contemporary poet Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen,” “I” and “you” in tension; In Ocean Vuong’s “On Earth,” mother and son voices intertwined.
Additional Notes
Poetic theory or approach emphasizing dialogue, exchange, or interaction between two distinct voices or perspectives.
Also Known As
Dialogue theory Conversational poetics Two-speaker aesthetics Exchange craft Dialogism
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