zajalesque

Definitions

Characteristic of or similar to a zajal.

Examples

“Long ago Julian Ribera pointed out that the majority of the cantigas (up to 90 percent) are zajalesque in form⟳, and that in them the matla', which is repeated in writing after every stanza, functions as a refrain, as the musical notation proves.”

“Although the notion of a pivotal position of the culture of Toledo is difficult to resist⟳, and may explain⟳ the way zajalesque rhymes are to be found in the Cantigas, it does not directly explain⟳ the earlier interchanges: but it does provide⟳ a model⟳ whereby the conditions of receptivity, mentioned earlier, might well have⟳ prevailed at various stages in the history of the zajal, muwashshah and Occidental lyric.”

“The zajalesque rhyme-scheme (aa bbba [aa] ccca etc.) is further typical of the Portuguese and Italian songs with initial refrain and vuelta.”

“The first four strophes of the poem exhibit a remarkably zajalesque structure⟳, including an initial refrain, mudanzas/ghuṣns with rhymes that differ⟳ from the refrain, and vueltas/ simṭs with rhymes that coincide with the latter, the only exception being that of the fourth strophe, which, due to a lacuna, lacks a vuelta/simṭ.”

CEFR level