Visible Speech. Simbiotics in Eurythmics (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,7, University of Kassel, language: English, abstract: What is Eurythmy? Is it a language? Why are people dancing instead of speaking? What kind of semiotic elements are used to make speech visible? Do we understand Eurythmy without knowing anything about it? In this paper those and other question will be tried to explain.
Eurythmy, derived from Greek (eu rythmos = good rhythm) [Grassmann, Lothar] is an expressive movement art also called visible speech.
Eurythmy still is a little explored phenomenon but what is known about it is very interesting for semiotic studies. When we move in daily routine, we do not pay attention to how we use our body. Eurythmists do: the "Art of Soul" [Zanker, Claudia] combines body and soul and visualizes sounds and speech by moving the whole body in space instead of speaking words out loud. Also it "brings the essence of music and language to visible manifestation" [Austin Eurythmie Ensamble]. This is not about doing any arbitrary exercises but more about following strict rules connected to sounds and rhythm of language. What is deep inside while speaking is shown by gestures, what touches the soul by listening to music can be seen by watching people.
Eurythmy was developed by Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner. In cooperation with Marie von Sievers, who decided about the name "Eurythmy", Steiner created the first motion sequences in 1912 and after a while the whole masterpiece with all its rules and sections.
Steiner was an Austrian philosopher, esoteric and educator. He lived from 1861 till 1925. During his lifetime he founded the anthroposophical ideology (Anthroposophy = human's wisdom) and the concept of Waldorfschools as well. The first Waldorfschool opened its doors in 1919. In Steiner's opinion the eurythmical character is to let "the insides move out" so that mind, soul and body work together harmoniously. [Krämer:35]

Today Eurythmy is used in education and therefore obligatory subject in all grades of Waldorfschools. The students learn Eurythmy as a language and also as "Visible Music" [Steiner:Gesang]. There are many different performances of all kinds of music that can be seen worldwide. Every performance is presented in special rooms, some by professional Eurythmists who have completed a five year program at an university. Every actor wears long, wide, and flowing robes.