Muisc as a Form of Language TOK Paper
[i:6cfc17256b]Would you classify music as a language? Justify your answer, considering the extent to which it resembles or differs from natural language, and the role it plays in the acquisition of knowledge. [/i:6cfc17256b]
Theory of Knowledge Essay
To many of us in this world, language means what we speak and what we write. In our busy, day-to-day lives, we do not always perceive other languages that are used. One of these "hidden" languages is music. It is very similar to natural language and is as useful to us in acquiring knowledge as natural language.
Natural language is inherently difficult to define because it is so broad and can have so many interpretations. Fundamentally, it is a method of communication which can take a number of forms such as, but not limited to, written and oral expression. Natural language must have rules which provide structure and allow us to form recognizable expressions that others can comprehend and interpret. It must also be able and learnt, thereby allowing others to use the language for communication and self-expression.
Music is primarily an auditory language. When you turn on your radio or go to a concert, the form in which music comes to you is sound that has been organized into something understandable and interpretable. These sounds can be vocal, instrumental, or a combination of the two. They can be written down, though this is rare when we look at the world's cultures.
Music is a form of expression of feeling, emotion, thought, opinions, and views which can be understood by people worldwide. Just as writers and poets express themselves through a written language, composers and other musicians say what they want to through their music. Music can be a story. Take, for instance, the Háry János Suite by Kodály, a Hungarian composer. This work is a six-piece suite that tells of the exploits imagined by the soldier Háry János. The listener forms images in their imagination of what is happening to Háry as he weaves intricate tales even though there are no words and pictures. The sounds of the instruments and of the voice(s) unlock images and feelings from within the mind of the listener. These pictures will, of course, vary with the listener and the culture, but in general the image will be the same. This is what happens with books. When you read a novel, you form images in your mind of what...