Polyphony is music where two or more independent melodies are played or sung at the same time, creating a rich, layered sound. Each voice has its own line, but they fit together harmoniously.
From Greek *poly-* “many” and *phōnē* “voice, sound.” It literally means “many voices.”
Once you know *polyphony* means “many voices,” you start seeing it outside music: a novel with many narrators, or a debate with many strong viewpoints. The word gives you a way to admire complexity instead of seeing it as noise.
In music and literature, polyphony refers to multiple independent voices, yet historically the literal and metaphorical 'voices' recognized have skewed male. Women composers, performers, and narrators were often excluded from formal recognition in polyphonic traditions.
When using 'polyphony' metaphorically for social or literary voices, ensure that women’s and marginalized genders’ voices are explicitly included rather than treated as optional additions.
["multiple voices","multi-voiced texture"]
Women composers, singers, and writers have been essential to developing polyphonic music and multi-voiced narratives, even when their work was attributed to male colleagues or left unsigned.
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