American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1835) once said "Music is the Universal language of man... more American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1835) once said "Music is the Universal language of mankind" (as cited in Gottlieb, 2019). Music education theorist Bennett Reimer notes that "language that is used to describe music is descriptive and never interpretive" and that "words should be chosen carefully to call attention to the events in music" (Harris, 2001, p. 11). This means that use of language must contain definite meaning. Reimer also stated that in order for a communicator to share music, they must have clear ideas of what is to be transmitted and translate the messages exactly to represent their meanings. Reimer clearly described music as needing assistance in order to be understood. If a communicator is required to define and refine music in order to create its messages, then music itself cannot convey its own meanings, and therefore cannot be defined as a language. Languages also need communicators to be transmitted, but the messages themselves can be understood as standalones. Although music is an artform that is universally appreciated, it cannot be defined as being a language because it itself does not communicate literal meaning. If the term "universal language" defines anything that can be widely accepted or understood, then any artform or skill that can be learned can be deemed a universal language.
American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1835) once said "Music is the Universal language of man... more American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1835) once said "Music is the Universal language of mankind" (as cited in Gottlieb, 2019). Music education theorist Bennett Reimer notes that "language that is used to describe music is descriptive and never interpretive" and that "words should be chosen carefully to call attention to the events in music" (Harris, 2001, p. 11). This means that use of language must contain definite meaning. Reimer also stated that in order for a communicator to share music, they must have clear ideas of what is to be transmitted and translate the messages exactly to represent their meanings. Reimer clearly described music as needing assistance in order to be understood. If a communicator is required to define and refine music in order to create its messages, then music itself cannot convey its own meanings, and therefore cannot be defined as a language. Languages also need communicators to be transmitted, but the messages themselves can be understood as standalones. Although music is an artform that is universally appreciated, it cannot be defined as being a language because it itself does not communicate literal meaning. If the term "universal language" defines anything that can be widely accepted or understood, then any artform or skill that can be learned can be deemed a universal language.
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