Poetry that’s deadpan? Very old language (5,5)

I believe the answer is:

blank verse

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'poetry' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'deadpan? very old language' is the wordplay.
'deadpan?' becomes 'blank' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'very' becomes 'v' (common abbreviation).
'old language' becomes 'erse' (old-fashioned term for Gaelic).
'blank'+'v'+'erse'='BLANK VERSE'

'that's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for blank verse that I've seen is " Rhymeless poetry".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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