I’ve always been captivated by the idea that even when humans succumb to dementia and lose their grasp on language, they can still recall the music they listened to in their youth until their final moments. This notion resonates deeply with me, especially now as a new parent.
Recently, I experienced the joy of welcoming a child into the world. Although my baby is yet to speak, there’s a clear delight that sparkles in those tiny eyes whenever I sing a song. This interaction has led me to a profound realization: perhaps, for us humans, music precedes language.
Isn’t it fascinating to consider that before we even begin to weave words into sentences, we are attuned to the rhythms and melodies of music? It’s as if our earliest form of communication isn’t spoken but sung, embedded in the lullabies that soothe us and the melodies that move us.
Moreover, this experience has made me ponder the essence of language itself. Could it be that language is, in its most fundamental form, a type of music? The rise and fall of intonation, the rhythm in our cadences, the melody that we unconsciously infuse into our spoken words – all these elements seem to echo the fundamental nature of music.
Therefore, as my child grows, I find myself more attuned to the musicality inherent in our everyday interactions. Whether it’s the soothing tune of a lullaby or the joyful expression in a simple nursery rhyme, the power of music in shaping our earliest memories and forming our initial understanding of the world is undeniable.
As I continue this journey of parenthood, I am reminded of the timeless bond between music and human memory, communication, and emotion. In many ways, music is our first language, a universal medium that transcends words yet speaks volumes about our shared human experience.
Atsushi's Life in Korea 