Language vs. Music

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by Kipler, Aug 11, 2007.

?

Which is easier?

  1. New instrument

    3 vote(s)
    75.0%
  2. New language

    1 vote(s)
    25.0%
  3. Equivalent

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Kipler Registered Member

    Messages:
    31
    Okay, I've heard this said numerous times, that learning how to play an
    instrument is just as hard as learning how to learn a new language. To master
    an instrument takes a while as does mastering the use of a new Language. I
    being a band director at high school think learning how to play instruments is
    much easier for me. But there are some people who it just isn't easy for.
     
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  3. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    languages are different...
     
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  5. Kipler Registered Member

    Messages:
    31
    They are but it takes about the same time frame to learn to do eather, and both require
    practice.
     
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  7. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Some people have the facility for languages, some for music, others for other things.
     
  8. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    depends if you are left or right brain type of individual ....... whatever that means (artsy or matsy)
     
  9. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Which is which?
    Languages are art or mathematics?
     
  10. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    mathematics
     
  11. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Hmmm, so why do so many mathematicians talk about music?
    Why is music done to regular (mathematically proven) intervals and scales?
     
  12. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    creating music and analyzing music is different.
     
  13. Lord Hillyer Banned Banned

    Messages:
    1,777
    challenge your cheer.
     
  14. draqon Banned Banned

    Messages:
    35,006
    why, that's insightful.
     
  15. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    33,264
    The problem is that EVERYONE can practice most instruments at home whenever they want BUT we cannot practice our Hindi sitting in our lounge chairs very easily. True you could try and practice but how can you ever become a conversationalist in any language unless you are actually talking with others that use it.

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    Last edited: Aug 12, 2007
  16. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

    Messages:
    24,690
    I've been both a musician and a linguist since I was a child, and I say languages are harder. There are many instruments that you can learn to play well enough in a year (starting during adolescence) to entertain yourself, accompany singers, or form a garage band. Unless you're a Czech learning Slovak or a Finn learning Estonian, one year's study of a foreign language won't make you more than "that clever foreigner who has learned so many of our words."

    On the other hand the similarity between the two pursuits is imperfect. Four years of truly enthusiastic study in adolescence could make an average person comfortable living and working in a foreign country. But it won't turn the average person into a professional musician. We all have a preprogrammed ability to learn language if we start young enough. Not so with music. Language is a survival skill that we come well equpped to master. Music is not.
     

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