Shinkaryuk Irina
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University
Institute of Arts, student
Pet’ko Lyudmila,
Scientific supervisor,
Ph.D., Associate Professor,
Dragomanov
National Pedagogical University (Ukraine,
Kyiv)
Dance as Universal Language
This is a big
world, but even so, there are specific things that we all can understand
without question. One is the art of dance. The art of dance is understood
everywhere, it speaks only one language that every spirited dancer knows.
Competitions, recitals, shows, all types of performances hold all the same
power and passion. Dance has been in our world for as long as there were people
here to dance the dances. There is a spirit in dance that speaks all languages
[4].
Dance is as
universal a language as music. Dance is a human story. Ethnic dancing can tell
us who we are and where we came from. In exploring forms of dancing you can
transport yourself to another culture [10]. Dance is a way of expression, an
identity. As with most traditions, Dance is different around the world, in
every country that you travel to. Certain genres can identify a particular
destination, a way of life. As with music, it is highly emotive [6].
Dance is a form
of language that transcends not only cultures but also species. We may not have
the ability to comprehend the sounds that male birds make, but we can
instinctively interpret their gestures as they compete for a mate by showing
off their dance moves. Similarly, before our ancestors developed linguistic
skills, they communicated with each other
through body language. They expressed their anger, hope and love with movement.
Today, we continue to do the same; dance is a part of us and has always been.
Dancers are storytellers who share their stories with their bodies.
According
to some researches, there are 5 absolute favourite styles: 1) Latin, Salsa and Ballroom
(they originated from Latin America and the Caribbean during the 1920′s
). Cuba is the most famous home of Salsa dancing, it’s a great destination to
check it out and really get a taste for the style [3; 1]; 2) Breakdance or ‘B-boying’ is a style of Street Dance that has
originated as part of a hip hop culture among youths in New York City in the
1970′s. This dance style has gained popularity worldwide, particularly in
the USA, Brazil, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan [11]; 3) Tahitian Dance originated from Tahiti and the French Polynesia.
In 1776–1780 Captain James Cook sailed to the Island and his artist managed to
captured the image of the dancers of the island. The style is very tribal and
Tahitian drumming is used for the beat. The costumes of the dancers included
undecorated tapa cloth for the males and tapa cloth with feathers and tassels
for the woman, with head dresses and coconuts. The dancing includes strong hip
moments and stomping. This style later developed into the Hula dance of Hawaii
with the beautiful hip swings and grass skirts [7]; 4) Ballet is a type of performance dance, a timeless dance style
that tells a story. It originated in Italy in the 15th Century,
later developing into a concert dance in France and Russia. It has since become
a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. Ballet
dancers are very strictly taught and have to have the best fitness, flexibility
and gracefulness. The most popular moves include Arabesque, Chasse, Plie and
Pirouette. Point footwork is particularly key in this dance genre, with point
shoes helping achieve this. Point shoes have blocks of wood at the bottom of
the shoe, enabling the dancer to balance on a full pointed toe. Famous Ballet
productions are Swan Lake [8] and The Nutcracker [9]. These performances
can be seen all over the world but different dance companies; 5) Flamenco is a genre of music, song
and dance from Andalusia, Southern Spain, founded in the 18th Century. This
genre includes ‘cante’ (Singing), ‘torque’ (guitar playing), ‘baile’ (dance)
and ‘palmas’ (handclaps). ‘Flama’ in Spanish means flame, hence the stunning
red dresses connoting the fieriness and passion
of the dance. The highlight of Flamenco [5], for me, has got to be the classic
and classy style, the graceful dancers and amazing voice and guitar
accompaniment [6; 2].
The
arm movements, the fluid body waves, the turns, the leap, the poses, every
aspect of dance has a center, a core. This is where all dancers from all over
the world relate, universally. If you put two dancers is a studio from opposite
sides of the world, they would in no way be able to converse, but turn the
music on and the connection begins. They begin to experiment, observe each
others style and technique; they begin to come together in the final
masterpiece. They use each others strengths to bring out the best in them both
[4].
Regardless of
which languages we speak, regardless of where we call home, we can all find
common ground through dance. Dance fosters collaboration and trust by breaking
down barriers in a magical way, which is difficult to describe but can
certainly be felt by all. Dancing will not cure diseases, will not end famines
nor will it fight to bring peace. But as a universal language, dance speaks of
joy and a hope that can never be taken away [2].
In others cases,
while dance cannot communicate specific events or ideas, it is a universal
language that can communicate emotions directly and sometimes more powerfully
than words. The French poet Stéphane Mallarmé declared that the dancer, “writing with her body, … suggests
things which the written work could … [12].
Bibliography
1. Alex and Noemi - Ballroom Salsa
Dance Co.- in Esencia Club (Video) [Web site]. – 
Access
mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXkSDz6cl7Q
2. Clingan
Lauren, Cai Xuexin. / The Gazelle, October 5, 2013 [Web site]. – 
Access mode: http://www.thegazelle.org/issue/16/opinion/dance/
3. DVIDA Gold Salsa Syllabus - Ballroom Dance DVD
[Web site]. – 
Access mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSIn5NKsG0
4. Leblanc Sheri. The Universal
Language of Dance [Web site]. – 
Access mode: http://sheris-musings.tumblr.com/post/52762861769/uvdance
5. Spanish flamenco dance
[Web site]. – 
Access
mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f-H0rn0EK0
6. Starling Sam. The Universal
Language of Dance [Web site]. – 
Access mode:
http://www.travelculturemag.com/the-universal-language-of-dance/
7. Tahitian Dance [Web
site]. – 
Access mode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QahgraRrYs
8. Tchaikovsky. The Swan Lake ,
Bolshoi Ballet (by Yuri Grigorovich, dancers: Alla Mikhaylchenko, Yuri
Vasyuchenko) DVD [Web site]. – 
Access
mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxuMnEfEtlA
9.
Tchaikovsky . The Nutcracker, Mariinsky Theatre (Conductor: V.Gergiev)
[Web site]. – 
Access
mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clWKDT4TQIk
10. The Word Dances (Video) [Web site]. – 
Access mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXLXo53vaHY
