Home › Glossary › Letter U

Ultrasonic verse

Sound
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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

Experimental verse that conceptually or metaphorically engages with sound frequencies beyond human hearing, often symbolizing the ineffable.

Detailed Definition
Ultrasonic verse employs frequencies of language—through extreme pitch, rapidity, or inaudible textual elements—that exceed normal human perception, using typography, digital media, or conceptual strategies to suggest sounds or meanings beyond the audible or legible spectrum.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ultrasonic verse: Sound poetry by Henri Chopin uses frequencies beyond speech; Contemporary: "Ultrasonic" by Tracie Morris explores vocal overtones; Digital poetry that encodes inaudible data; Verse that implies sound beyond human hearing, as in Jorie Graham’s "Fast"
Additional Notes
Experimental verse exploring sound frequencies beyond normal hearing. Related to sound poetry and experimental traditions. Rare; investigate concrete and sound poetry for context.
Also Known As
Beyond-sound verse High-frequency poetry Supersonic verse Unheard-frequency poetry
Skip to main content