Description
Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive study of the relationship between music and language, this book challenges the widespread belief that music and language are processed independently. It argues that music and language share deep and critical connections, and that comparative research provides a powerful way to study the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying these uniquely human abilities.
Trade Reviewa fascinating synopsis of the current, young state of scientific research in cross-domain language-music comparative study. The book transverses with ease the disciplinary lines of linguistics, music and neuroscience. This impressive work of scholarship will serve as a reference of the topic for years to come. * Phonology *
...an intellectual tour-de-force...[the book] requires focused engagement, but the rewards are rich...this definitive analysis of music cognition and its relationship to language [is] a work of exceptional scholarship and clarity. * Nature *
...this book undoubtedly provides the best attempt so far to synthesize theory and research findings, and in doing so highlights the many advantages of applying a holistic approach to the study of music and language. * Brain: A Journal of Neurology *
Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Sound Elements: Pitch and Timbre ; 2.1 Introduction ; 2.2 Musical Sound Systems ; 2.3 Linguistic Sound Systems ; 2.4 Sound Category Learning as a Key Link ; 2.5 Conclusion ; Appendixes ; 3. Rhythm ; 3.1 Introduction ; 3.2 Rhythm in Music ; 3.3 Rhythm in Speech ; 3.4 Interlude: Rhythm in Poetry and Song ; 3.5 Non-Periodic Aspects of Rhythm as a Key Link ; 3.6 Conclusion ; Appendixes ; 4. Melody ; 4.1 Introduction ; 4.2 Melody in Music: Comparisons to Speech ; 4.3 Speech Melody: Links to Music ; 4.4 Interlude: Musical and Linguistic Melody in Song ; 4.5 Melodic Statistics and Melodic Contour as Key Links ; 4.6 Conclusion ; Appendix ; 5. Syntax ; 5.1 Introduction ; 5.2 The Structural Richness of Musical Syntax ; 5.3 Formal Differences and Similarities between Musical and Linguistic Syntax ; 5.4 Neural Resources for Syntactic Integration as a Key Link ; 5.5 Conclusion ; 6. Meaning ; 6.1 Introduction ; 6.2 A Brief Taxonomy of Musical Meaning ; 6.3 Linguistic Meaning in Relation to Music ; 6.4 Interlude: Linguistic and Musical Meaning in Song ; 6.5 The Expression and Appraisal of Emotion as a Key Link ; 6.6 Conclusion ; 7. Evolution ; 7.1 Introduction ; 7.2 Language and Natural Selection ; 7.3 Music and Natural Selection ; 7.4 Music and Evolution: Neither Adaptation nor Frill ; 7.5 Beat-Based Rhythm Processing as a Key Research Area ; 7.6 Conclusion ; Appendix ; Afterword ; References ; List of Sound Examples ; Lis of Credits ; Author Index ; Subject Index