Reference Material:
Both music and language have a lot of similarities: They involve complex sequences that unfold in time. They are both forms of communication. This has interested all the world’s best philosophers from Plato going back over 2000 years ago. Scientists like Darwin wrote about possible evolutionary links between music and language in his book the Descent of Man and so did artists like Leonard Bernstein who gave a series of lectures at Harvard in the 70s. He spoke about the grammar of language and the grammar of music from Noam Chomsky’s theories. So it’s a persistent question. It keeps drawing interest from scientists today but there are some basic obvious similarities. For example, both music and language have rhythmic systematic patterns of timing accent and grouping. Both language and music have melody-structured patterns of pitch, over time. Both have syntax. Discrete elements like words or notes and principles for combining those elements into sequences. Sentences are just random sequences of words. Both convey affect which means emotion using sound. You can make out a lot of emotion from a persons voice and music has the characteristic of providing emotions like happiness or sadness.
Sample Answer:
The lecture demonstrated the similarities of music and language which are our species’ history and culture. Specifically, numerous philosophers, scientists and artists such as Plato and Darwin have found their similarities through some theory and principle. Although they have basic commons include complex sequences, time and communication, the most obvious similarities are that they both have rhythm, melody, syntax and effect of conveying emotion by using their sound. (68 words)
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