Publish at March 04 2019 Updated June 13 2024
Legend has it that once upon a time, people all spoke the same language. They decided to build a city and a tower as high as possible, to get closer to God. God, annoyed by this act of defiance by mankind, scattered them across the world and gave them different languages. This biblical account would explain why we have all grown up with different cultures and languages. Since then, it seems we've all been searching for a universal language, as if to reproduce the spirit of Babel. Many believe it lies in music.
Many claim that music is the common language because all human cultures (or almost all) have made music. But beyond this basic premise, how can we really attest to the fact that music is a universal means of communication? Researchers have tried to find out whether we all understand the language of music.
A Harvard study involving 750 Internet users from 60 countries showed that, despite language differences in the song passages listened to, they were able to tell the purpose of the melody. In another experiment, scientists asked American and Indian Internet users to listen to excerpts and specify the number of singers and instruments, tempo, excitement, valence and so on. In short, in both groups, musical understanding was the same, despite major cultural differences.
Some studies have even observed that the part of the brain linked to language also processes music. For example, by studying the cerebral blood flow of musicians and non-musicians in verbal and musical generation tasks, they found that in those accustomed to instruments, it was located in the same place. As for the non-initiates, after just half an hour of musical practice, it was closer to that of the instrumentalists. Another study using magnetic resonance imaging showed that musicians were better able to perceive syllables drowned out by background noise. The habit of discerning pitches in their day-to-day lives enabled them to better understand bits of speech.
This batch of studies, including one from Harvard, led many in the media to claim that, that was it, music was the universal language. However, music experts have rebuked this hasty conclusion.
First of all, we need to agree on the notion of language. Because this question in itself can lead to lengthy debates. As this specialist, who debunks clichés about classical music, reminds us, languages do everything they can to clarify the world. Music, on the other hand, is deliberately abstract and highly personal. This music therapist in palliative care gives a convincing example of this divergence of meaning. As part of her work, she was frequently asked to sing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" at the bedside of dying patients. This beautiful melody is a moment of contemplation and sadness for the patient and his family. However, one of his friends asked him for the same tune... for her wedding, as she considers this hymn to be one of joy. An interpretation totally at odds with that of the bereaved families.
Universality is undermined when the musical culture of listeners is compared. While Western music has generally spread far and wide, other musical styles often remain impenetrable to the untrained ear. For example, it would be very difficult for a Canadian, a Frenchman or an American to accurately describe the intent of a piece of native music. Moreover, musical grammar differs from one culture to another. In the West, pieces in major keys are associated with joy, while those in minor keys represent sadness. This is not true in Asian or African cultures. Even Western tunes don't always conform to this "widespread" code.
So, is music as a universal language a utopia? Clearly, this is an exaggeration extrapolated from certain studies. Nevertheless, perhaps musical universality, as the Smithsonian asserts, lies in the fact that all humans enjoy it. So, if notes don't become a global language, they can motivate and help not only to sway and have fun, but also to learn and retain bits of information.
Illustration : Foter.com
References
Bohler, Sébastien. "Music Improves Language." Cerveauetpsycho.fr. Last updated February 13, 2018. https://www.cerveauetpsycho.fr/sd/neurosciences/la-musique-ameliore-le-langage-12798.php.
Chapman, Catherine. "Music really IS a universal language: People know what type of song they are hearing, no matter where they are from." Mail Online. Last updated: January 25, 2018. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5313137/Research-proves-music-universal-language.html.
Chaput, Janlou. "Science Décalée: La Musique, Une Langue Pour Notre Cerveau." Futura. Last updated March 11, 2018. https://www.futura-sciences.com/sante/actualites/biologie-science-decalee-musique-langue-notre-cerveau-53659/.
Fessenden, Marissa. "Why Music Is Not a Universal Language." Smithsonian. Last updated February 26, 2018. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-music-not-universal-language-180968245/.
"Music, That Amazing Universal Language." Fredzone. Last updated March 31, 2018. http://www.fredzone.org/la-musique-cette-etonnante-langue-universelle-883.
"Music Really is a Universal Language." Phys.org. Last updated January 25, 2018. https://phys.org/news/2018-01-music-universal-language.html.
Pearson, Sarah. "Why Music is Not a Universal Language - and What That Means for Care." Hospital News. Last updated February 20, 2019. https://hospitalnews.com/why-music-not-a-universal-language-and-what-that-means-for-care/.
Shaver-Gleason, Linda. "Is Music a Universal Language?" Not Another Music History Cliché! Last updated January 4, 2018. https://notanothermusichistorycliche.blogspot.com/2018/01/is-music-universal-language.html.
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