How similar are language and music?
Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world. Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.
Both language and music have a writing system.
Both language and music have their own systems of notation. Language uses alphabets to represent sounds and create meaning. By reading and writing in these systems, we can communicate and preserve ideas and compositions through time.
Listening to the language someone speaks can provide valuable clues about their geographical origin. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.
Both share emotion.
While you may be able to perceive it through my facial expressions, you can judge it with certainty through my words. Similarly, music has the ability to convey emotions such as anger, sadness, or happiness through its sound. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness. I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics (歌词).
A. Both are expressive.
B. Both vary with culture.
C. How do you know that I am annoyed?
D. Similarly, music is part of many people's lives.
E. Equally, music uses notes to represent pitches and rhythms.
F. We use language to express our thoughts.
G. In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.
