Pertaining to music: Is language a barrier?

[scarletwillow]

I realize that quite frankly language may determine the style or genre of the music, but let's take for example one particular style of music.

Would the language it's sung in (disregard style) provide any particular barrier for your enjoyment of the song?

Barriers may include cultural reasons, understanding of the language, or even just because you don't particularly like the language.

[vunsin]

I don't care what language the songs are in. I mostly just go for the music. I'd listen to songs in any language as long as I like the rhythm and the voice of the singer(s).

[scarletwillow]

Perhaps I should've been more specific...
But would you count favoritism of languages as a result of it being a barrier?

I'm a very musically open person. Quite frankly, the majority of music I listen to are in languages I don't understand. In that sense language is not a barrier, but I voted that is is because I only listen to songs in Asian tongues.

[E-Ping]

Of coz not!I dont know korean and japanese but i listen to both korean and japanese songs.And it's not just that ,i listen to thai and spanish songs as well.I dont think there's a language barrier when it comes to music.As long as i like the rythm,whether it's hakka,hokkien, or whatever...i'll give it a shot! :happy: Even my friends of different races (muslims and indians) listen to chinese songs though they cant understand a thing.So..this proves that language is not a problem when it comes to listening to music.What's more important is the rythm..well at least rythm is what i look for in a song! :happy:

[ker_ai_teresa]

i voted no.

i enjoy Jap and Korean music along with Canto, Mando and English. like vunsin, i mostly listen for the music, rather than the lyrics.

but i think i understand what you mean scarletwillow. the music i've mentioned above are sort of similiar in that you'll find ppl from those countries who will follow the English market and do RnB, Hip Hop, rock and similiar styles of pop music. i think music is like a fashion trend and whatever is trendy in the major market will be copied in other markets, therefore they can be easily accepted by ppl like us who don't understand the language coz the music is still similiar.

however, on the other hand, there are markets that don't follow the trend and they mostly keep to their own cultural style of doing music. now i'm no expert in this, but it would seem that Italian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, etc, music is like that. they sort of mainly keep to their style which is why their music doesn't really appeal to ppl outside their culture.

do i make any sense? :glug:

[Jam]

For me, music is a form of art. So it doesn't matter whether it is sang in whatever language. I ever like a bangala dance song during my training days.. those bengali language that i will never ever understand a single word, :laughing: but the whole conbination of the music and vocal is very good. Language will never be a barrier to me in music. :wink2:

[cici bebe]

I think music speaks its own language, like Jay said, universal. You don't have to be Asian to like or listen to Asian songs. I don't understand a word of Japanese or Korean yet I love Ayumi, etc.

Language could be a barrier for those who are quite narrow-minded about music (a certain few friends of mine I know) and they refuse to listen to Asian music because they categorize it as "odd", but that's just because they haven't listened to it enough.

[Sparkling_Jade]

i didn´t really know what to answer..

i do agree that music is universal, but e.g the reason that i like Jay so much is partly because of his touching lyrics. i don´t think that i would appreciate his music so much if i didn´t understand the lyrics. on the other hand i love utada hikaru, although i have no idea whatsoever of what she´s singing about.. but i think that i´m able to enjoy all sort of music, regardless of the language or the origin :happy:

and i scarletwillow does have a point there.. i do listen mostly to asian music (even the langueages that i don´t understand). i don´t think that i favour asian music though, it´s just my taste of music.

[Viv]

I chose no because most of my favorite artists are Korean. I don't understand a word of korean but I love the songs. But when it comes to interviews...I'll only watch them to see their faces. hehe. Almost all white people I know refuse to listen to asian music because it's weird for them. But is it really weird for asians to listen to english music? I think not.

[cinsin]

I also voted no.
I'll listen to any music just as long as it's good. I'm someone who doesn't pay attention to lyrics. I'm more into the beat and the sound of the music than how it is sung. Most of my favourite artist are Korean and Japanese anyway.

[*meow]

actually language shouldn't be a barrier [i voted no...] coz if u really love music, it's not the language that you should be listening for, but the tune, the voice... etc. yeah, so i guess language shouldn't be a barrier...

[sauerkraut]

i hope you don't think i'm narrow-minded or even racist :oops: , but music-wise, language can be a barrier to me. i can listen to music in languages that i don't understand. i can't fully enjoy them, however, when i don't understand the lyrics. that being said, i voted for yes.

[sor-bee]

I voted yes.
But to be more specific, language is a barrier for my full enjoyment of music.
I listen to all different types of music but I'm always looking for the lyrics, be they the original or translated. I think that lyrics add so much more to a song. The melody, rhythm and beat are like the base, but the lyrics are really what make me love a song.

[knock]

I voted yes. And now im wondering whie did i voted yes when i hafe other languages songs in my playlists. So my ans would probably be changed to neutral if there this option ba.. :happy:

Hmm.. Alright.. It's like i wun speak any indian songs to listen to. They sound erm.. way too weird for me despite how nice is it? I wont listen to love songs of other languages too. Cuz firstly, language matters alot to me in love songs becuz of the lyrics. But for metal songs, any language would fit ba.. Shrugs.. *internal struggle* :wacko:

[denise88]

i guess language may be a problem. i like songs which have nice lyrics and meaningful messages, not just because of the nice beat and stuff. so, if i can't understand the message of the song, how can i enjoy it?

[lil~jo]

Language is not a barrier!
What is most important is the rhythm and the voice of the singers.
I like it unique....not something I hear often.

Lyrics are important....yes...so....go online to download the musics lyrics in what ever language you can understand.
*^^*
You will slowly learn the language you are listening to.
So, see?
There are good things about the language being different.

[smilepiggy]

somehow . music would have a barrier.for one, i dont like many Japanese songs. cos' i simply do not understand. and i believe that lyrics are the heart of the song..although the tune does matter a lot too

[Sha]

Generally, I don't think it does. But maybe to a certain extent...especially if you don't like the language itself. Like, I won't listen to anything Cantonese cause I don't like the way it sounds.

But I'm not from a Chinese-speaking family but I love Jay Chou, Vic Chou, Zhou Chuan Xiong, Zhou Hui...the list goes on. Yes, I can understand some of it but sometimes, it's not neccessarily the words that you have to understand to enjoy music but the way it moves you inside.

So, no, I don't think language is a barrier. Interesting topic, Scarlet Willow.

[wackome]

hi ppl..i thought this was a interesting topic..so i'll add m

y words here...i also don't think language is a barrier..as long as it's good i'll listen to it even the singers that i don't like...but ppl....i am down for any music except for VIETAMESE....not trying to discriminate viet ppl...but i can stand anything but that....just blame it on my ears....hehe..

[powerlessangel]

Frankly speaking,no i do not think that language is a barrier...take me for an example....i am not a chinese but i was touched by david tao's albums and songs....it is weird how i was touched by his song even though i don't know what the hell he is talking about most of the time....same with jay...it is the soul in the music that matters the most

[Melvin]

Well actually yes... because for example when I listen to Japanese and Korean songs.. yea I can appreciate the tune but most of the time I wouldn't understand the meaning of the song at all.. :wacko:

[dazzlette]

I feel that language shouldn't be a barrier but unfortunately it is one for me. So I say yes. It is a barrier for my own enjoyment. I don't like the idea of listening to things that I completely don't understand, even if I read a translation, the song just won't work for me.

I listen to mostly Chinese and English songs and occasionally some Korean songs and Canto songs(I like the sound of sung Korean) Japanese songs just don't do for me. But even then, I have not really loved a Korean song before. There just isn't that kind of attraction there. I can't really explain why. I suppose it's just a personal thing.

[feixuan]

I voted No.
I am so weak in english but i love to listen to western music.I dont know japanese or korean but i still prefer to listening japanese/korean music.No barrier language for me.

[spax]

I chose no.

As long as the songs are nice, I'll listen to it. I like Ayumi and BoA's songs, even though I don't even have any idea on what they are singing about. As long as I can go along with the song, I don't care about the language. But I think it would be better if I can understand what they are singing about. Well, just my point of view.

[gCjs84]

For me, it is a yes. I admit that some songs do turn me off when I do not understand a heck what the artist is singing about. I look at a song in many ways. Normally, I will listen to the tune of the song first. Then I will look at the lyrics as well. I admit that good lyrics can lead me to like that particular song more so ya language is a barrier to my selection of songs.

[Ling]

Not really. You just appreciate the music differently. I like listening to music in languages that I don't understand because I get to hear a different style of music and I appreciate it for the tune itself.

[~ChinGLiSh<33]

I voted no.
Today, my indian friend invited my american friend to go to a banquet hosted by asians, and my american friend said "will they have music? Like.. American music?" And my indian friend said "yes." So I said "What's wrong with NON-American music?" She said "I can't understand it."
My gosh. I was so angry. I was ready to debate with her, but then my teacher came in and told us all to sit down.
To me.. music is about music. I listen to English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean.. practically anything that sounds good. If I want to know lyrics, I just go online and search around. It's not hard. You don't know what you're missing if you stay with just one thing.

[JaYwAh]

hmmm..both yes and no..butt i voted no i listen to chinese music all the time..especially and mostly jay...i may not understand it rite then and there..butt tatz y i read the lyricz n tranzlation..pluz..tat is wut i appreciate about jay..even tho those who cant understand wut he'z sayin..u can certainly feel wut the song is aboot jush by listening to it..jay itz tooo awesome!!! :D

[jiali]

Nah, not really.. Even if i don't understand the language, if the tune is nice, i can still enjoy it. :happy:

[jaychou_21]

Language is not a barrier when it comes to the enjoyment and appreciation of music.
I listen to English,Filipino,Japanese,Chinese,Korean and Latin music.
Music is my universal language and to me,it doesn't matter whether I understand the
language or not as long as I enjoy the music. :happy:
One perfect example of that is Jay.
I barely speak nor understand Chinese but I love his music and I don't give a damn
on what people say,even if they're saying his songs suck and I'm mad
because I kept on listening and admiring his music even if I don't understand his songs.
I don't really care if I can't sing his songs in fluent Mandarin or interpret his songs
without the aid of a lyric sheet,as long I continue to love music and appreciate it the way it is.

[jade]

No, I love all different kinds of music especially Jay's and i don't know what hes singing most of the time but I still love it :-)
**Jade**

[liliceprincess]

no..i don't think that there is a barrier...i mean u can be chinese and still love english style music there is no particular music that u like from the type of culture....u might know it more well and so then u would know u would like...for other styles or languages u jus try ur best and see if u like or not

[sundae]

..there is somewhat of a barrier, with english songs i love the deep and meaningful words that i can actually understand

but when your music as good as the music jay produces there is just no barrier coz its just that gooD, go jaY haha

[weemalyn]

i think that language is not a barrier. Although I do not understand Japanese or Korean, I still like to listen to Japanese and Korean songs. I feel that as long as the music, rhythm are good and nice, then I will listen to them.

To me, the melody is more important than the lyrics.

[ladiebugfreak]

For me and most of you I guess, as long as I enjoy the music, I'll listen to it. I think most asian languages are pretty (well... like... japanese, korean, chinese... I don't actually own anothing else... but still... --;;) ... so I don't mind at all that i odn't really understand the lyrics.

[jay_chou_]

Personally, I don't find language a barrier. You don't need to understand the language to understand the music, if that makes sense. Like, music can carry it's own emotions... you don't need to necessarily know the lyrics to find out what kind of song it is (example: wether it's a sad/happy song, etc) For me, as long as the flow of the music and the sound of the singing is enjoyable then it doesn't matter what language it's in. Most of the time I will listen to a lot of music that I can't really understand the lyrics, but even though I can't understand I'll still listen to it because the music is so nice... but sometimes the music makes me really curious as to what the lyrics are saying - in that case, I'll just try to find the translation :happy:

[devonn]

I voted No because all that matters is the music, not the language. Still, i prefer to hear the songs that I can understand the language- then I dont have to look for the meaning of the lyrics. :wink2:

[KendoTiger]

*voted "no"*

Not really, as the emotion behind a piece of music, the music's style, and everything else, makes it impossible to not enjoy it, even if you don't know the language. If you really believe that understanding the words make a song important, just look up the lyrics or something.

I actually don't mind not knowing exactly what they are saying. When i am listening to korean or japanese music, I can enjoy the song, even if the lyrics are really bad. I can always spend time translating it in my mind, but sometimes, its not worth it. I find it terrible when you have great music, but such disgustingly terrible lyrics that it ruins the songs...well, I've only really found that with american music...still....

[spork]

I voted yes. A lot of people here are talking about Asian music..but what about spanish music? German? Italian? Latino? Asian music alone took me time to get into, but I don't think I can get into, say, German or Italian music because the language and musical culture (like, American tastes in rock vs. their tastes in rock, what sounds we look for in our music vs. what they look for, etc) is entirely different from what I can remotely identify with.

[amdawn]

i've listened to french, spanish, italian, japanese and find that just because i don't understand the lyrics does not mean i cannot move to the music itself. the music is what is captivating first and then the lyrics just fill it in. sometimes you can't help but mouth the words too after a while even though you have no idea what you just said.

[friends_pt]

Seriously, who cares what language is the song in. i can't be bothered about it. so long as it's good music and the melody is nice, i don't really mind whether i understand what is the singer singing. Whether i understand the lyrics or not, the first thing of a song which captures your attention is acutally the melody. After which will you then take notice of the lyrics and tries to find out the story behind the lyrics of the song or the story which it is trying to tell you. i believe this happens to many people right?

[jtayk]

Not at all for me.

I am Thai and I don't even understand Chinese but I love Jay's music. I also listen to Japanese music and Korean music. I don't think language matters as long as the melody is catchy and nice is fine by me.

[countess]

i agree that language may not be a huge factor in the music we listen to, because most asians listen to music that's not in their own language....esp if ure not living in ure native country. But have u considered the vice-versa? I hardly know any anglo-saxon who listens to asian music or music they don't understand..so in a way its a yes...music is affected by language.

[ankh]

I'd say Yes.

I think most people do stereotype certain cultures or languages, which similarly constricts their enjoyment or preference on music too.
Like how many people who voted No actually enjoy Indian or some minority group music? I guess many don't even pay attention to them. Most people tend to cite Japanese or Korean music as examples.

And yes, a composer would be influenced by his own native culture and that would be reflected in the music style and arrangement. To some, they may not prefer certain music styles.
And most contemporary music employs the use of lyrics; lyrics add another dimension to the music itself. How many people wouldn't want to understand what lyrics they're listening to? (our translated lyrics forums are evidences) When they don't understand, people usually don't give it a chance. So language itelf is a barrier but however it is a barrier that can be transcended. And the many members here who don't know Chinese and yet love Jay's music is proof worthy.

-edit- Oops I accidentally voted No instead.

[Melvin]

Maybe yes, as I don't usually listen to songs in other languages, as I may not like it and I would mostly not understand it...

[w4t3r_lily]

I don't think it's a barrier. I love Jay's music although i don't really understand mandarin. I love rain's songs although i don't understand Korean. I think music don't have barrier. If you like the tune and the sounds..you don't need to understand the words.
Just like instrumental songs..they don't have lyrics right? Just music and sounds..but you can understand wether it reflects a happy song or sad song. :wink2:

[princessKitty]

although i can understand and read a bit of manderin, i still like the song because i can just look at the translations at this site.

i'm sure there is no sort of offence in jays songs, his songs are positive.

[bingcherry]

yeah, i dont think language has a lot to do with listening to music. even though i dont' understand cantonese, i still listen to those kinds of songs.

[pumpkin21]

don't speak a lickof japanese pr korean but i still enjoy the music.. it kinda makes me wanna learn the language..

[greenpea133]

i love any music that sounds nice to me. the only language i speak is english n i love spanish,korean,jap,french,n chinese songs. that's y i love about music cuz if the song is go to u then u want to learn the language and find out what the heck it's talking about. music brings every1 together.

[gcgal]

i am cantonese-english.
i love korean, mandarin, and some jap music.
barrier? nahhh

[murokeksi]

No way! I have to admid that i don´t listen any words when i listen to music. It´s like the signing is one of the instruments. ... but I started to learn japanice resently.. and I noticed that i love, when i understand something, when I listen japanice songs... So both! I enjoy when I understand, but it isin´t nessesary!

[yee82]

I would say "No" too. Since i can't understand mandarin and here i am listening to Jay ;) hehe... It all depends on the entire ensemble, for my case that is. The tune, the voice and the genre. I prefer soul and R&B so i'm pretty much sold for music like that. Lyrics play a part only after i have decided whether i like the song, it's kinda like a plus point ;) if i like the song and then find out that the lyrics are meaningful, then it's even better~

[moemoe]

language has never really been a barrier for me - as long as the music is good, i'll love it just as much as anything else. i like canto, jap and korean songs and.. its not like i can understand those languages. sure, its nice to know what the people are saying but its not really a necessity.. hehe i dont even know what Jay is singing half the time.

[willywutang]

Like fellow Jay-Chou.net member, vunsin, I don't really care what language the music is in. As long as the song sounds good and the singer's voice is good, I am okay with it. For example, I don't understand Korean but I still listen to Korean songs. Sometimes, hearing a nice rhythm is good enough to like it.

[pepprmint]

not at allll. im english/canto, and i listent to a lot of english songs but even though i speak canto, i personally have not like a single canto song that ive ever listened to. mando music i find sooooo much nicer, but i can *hardly* understand mandarin, even though im starting to pick it up now that im listening to the music more. i also like some japanese and korean music too. as long as the beat is catchy and i can *sorta* sing along to it (even though i have no idea what im saying hahaha) then i like the songs.

[BabyA]

Not at all! Music should be the universal language. When I listen to songs I don't really focus on the language, the rhythm of the music is enough for me to understand what the song is trying to express. Just like Jay's songs effect on me. :rolleyes:

[J.o.y.c.e.]

no..
i dont really care what language i'm listening to.. i just like the music
i listen to korean songs and i dont even understasnd

[rgirl]

i do listen to some korean and japanese songs, but i don't think i like then as much as chinese or english songs cos sometimes i get frustrated that i don't know what they're saying. so i voted for yes.

[atomik86]

music is universal. just because u cant understand the words doesnt mean u cant enjoy it. if ur just into it for the lyrics, then maybe poetry is ur cup of tea. a song is more like a complete package. it gives the words form with the sound that accompanies the prose. beats, rhythm, a composition of sound...a song is a song only with these, otherwise its just another poem

[nunya415]

OF COURSE NOT! I'm CHiense but I listen to japanese and korean bands along with Chinese ones

[pureintuiti0n]

I hate it when a song starts off really nice and then I hear the person sing it and just sucks. It's even worse when I have to totally disregard the song solely because of the language that its in. I don't want to sound prejudiced but it's just that some languages don't sound very nice to me. For example, the language can sound too harsh or not lyrical enough.

[DulceMexicana]

like most of us language isnt really a barrier but more a world opener cuz im mexicain so ill listen to spanish/mexicain music, english, italian, french, indi, japanese, mandarin, contonese.. well you get the point if i like the beat and what not thats what counts

[kimamura]

I voted no..

Because I think it's okay if we don't understand the language, but we can fell what the song want to tell, and just enjoy the music..
Even I'm a chinese, i can't speak chinese, because I life in Jakarta... My grand mother and my grandfather are from china, but they already life in Jakarta for a long time... So, i can't speak Chinese, just Indonesia and English, and just a little Chinese

[GuArDiAn AnGeL]

I don't think language stops me from listening to songs in a different language, however, I've realized that I don't come to appreciate as much. When I can understand the lyrics, I can sing along and relate to it, but when it's in a different language I can only hum.

[hellokitty]

Hmm...although most of the music I listen to is in Mandarin or English, I also like to listen to some Korean and Jap. I don't think language is a barrier provided the song has a nice melody and sounds comfortable.

[x_.Masa]

i voted yes because usually i really want to know what the lyrics are because weird as this may sound, but it makes me feel like i know the song and the singer better if i actually understood what they're singing about

[hobielover]

I voted "Yes" because if you don't understand the language, you don't necessarily understand the song. You might think that "Ju Hua Tai" is a happy song if you don't understand Mandarin--trust me, I know someone who made that mistake!

[1000tears]

No never.. because im the type of person that cares about the sound more than any other aspect of a song. but it IS better when you actually understand the music.

[Pao-Pao]

Nice topic...and it's really old lol from 2004!! wow

I voted no...and I'm my own prove...I'm latina and my native language is spanish...I learned english at school and when I was a child I didn't care if the songs were in english...I enjoyed them anyway, especially Madonna's lol

And right now I'm into asian music and I'm not asian...for some ppl it might me a problem, a huge one but for me it isn't. I listen to Jay, FLH, S.H.E, F.I.R, JJ Lun, Leehom etc and I don't care that they're singing in a complete different language from mine...I do know what the songs are about cuz I obviously read the translations but when I'm listening to one song in particular I don't know exactly what the singer is saying at that moment cuz I don't memorize the lyrics that easily, especially if they're in chinese.

For me, music is one of the greatest things in life...you can transmit so many messages...tell so many different stories...the language of music is only one...and it can demolish borders of all type: cultural, religious and even political.

You don't have to understand what the singer is saying to feel the song...some songs are just too powerful, you just feel it the minute you hear it.

[aishiteru]

i voted no...

i listen to music as long as it is nice and suits my moods..

i don't care if it is in english, korean, japanese or mandarin. frankly, i can't speak mandarin even though my mom and dad speak mandarin fluently.

so far, my mom will help to translate the meaning of some songs that i listen..thanks mom :excited: it also gives me a plus, now i can know some words in mandarin..not much but just a single word or a short sentence :tongue:

too bad, no one can help me to translate some of korean songs that i like to hear. so i am googling by myself to find the meanings hahahahha :oops:
trying so hard to find out what's the story behind the songs :shy:

[loveillusion]

i wont care what language the song is in. as long as the singer sing it in a nice way & i like the tune, rhythm all that will do.

[yongmunyee]

Well...
Language isnt really important....
As long as the song is nice, I will listen to it....

[ho_yt]

For me, language do have a barrier however, if the song is special it doesn't matter which language it was in...

[chiyaki]

Even though some languages sound abit funnily but they're never a barrier to me.

[British Jay Fan]

No, I listen to Jay and don't understand Mandarin, but it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the music. I go for the sound of the music, not the language it's in.

[thungster]

i voted no... if the music and the voice sound good i'm happy. if emotions can be conveyed without understanding the actual lyrics, it's even better :-)