Why you Should Listen to Music in Different Languages
There are many lovers of music who say music “transcends” language or that music “is a universal language.” Regardless of whether or not you agree with these statements, there are some benefits to listening to music in other languages (beyond not having to listen to lyrics that you don’t like).
Firstly, listening to songs in a language you do not speak can help you actually learn that language. The exposure may make it easier to pick out on new words, and there has been a lot of research regarding the role of music listening and language learning.
Listening to music in a language you do not speak can also help you gain an appreciation for the music itself. You may find that you are listening and experiencing the music differently because you don’t necessarily understand what is being said. This can also be a great exercise in trying to use context clues (such as being able to pick out a few words that you do know, or using visuals, if you are watching a music video) to figure out what the song is about (it’s a good brain exercise).
Another benefit is that by listening to music that is not in your native language you may learn about different musical styles. Music is an art form and there are so many ways to express and share this art. You may find yourself gaining a curiosity or passion for the values of another culture. On that note, you can also help to break down the barriers between cultures. Throughout history, art and music have the capacity to unite others, epically in the modern world. Even if we don’t get all along, music is one thing that we can all have a shared commonality and appreciation for.