Language and music as cognitive systems

About this book

The past 15 years have witnessed an increasing interest in the comparative study of language and music as cognitive systems. Languages and music are uniquely human traits, so it is not surprising that this interest spans practically all branches of cognitive science, including psychology, computer science, linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, and education. Underlying the study of language and music is the assumption that the comparison of these two domains can shed light on the structural and functional properties of each, while also serving as a test case for theories of how the mind, and ultimately, the brain work. The present volume contributes to the study of language and music by bringing together researchers form a variety of scientific disciplines. The volume is structured around four core areas in which the study of music and language has been particularly fruitful: (i) structural comparisons, (ii) evolution, (iii) learning and processing, and (iv) neuroscience. The purpose is to provide a snapshot of the different research strands that have focused on language and music, to identify current trends and methodologies that have been (or could be) applied to the study of both domains, and to outline future research directions. This volume will promote the investigation of language and music by fostering interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration.