35.1255, Fun Fact: Solresol

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-35-1255. Fri Apr 19 2024. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 35.1255, Fun Fact: Solresol

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Date: 19-Apr-2024
From: Erin Steitz [ensteitz at linguistlist.org]
Subject: Fun Fact: Solresol


Hello LINGUIST List readers,

Today's Fun Fact is about the language of music.

Solresol, devised by Jean-François Sudre in the 19th century, stands
out among constructed languages for its unique reliance on musical
tones rather than conventional phonetics or written symbols. Initially
dubbed "la Langue musicale universelle," translating to the
international music language, Solresol sought to be a universal mode
of communication transcending linguistic barriers.

Sudre, a violinist, crafted Solresol around seven syllables borrowed
from musical fundamentals: do, re, me, fa, so, la, and ti. This
musical foundation reflected his artistic background and contributed
to Solresol's distinctiveness.

As the first serious attempt at a constructed language, Solresol
gained attention for its logical framework and simplicity. Sudre's
intention was to foster international understanding through an easily
graspable language structure.

Despite its pioneering status, Solresol didn't achieve widespread
adoption. Nevertheless, its innovation as the world's sole musically
based language remains noteworthy, marking a significant milestone in
linguistic experimentation.

This unique approach to language creation mirrors the intricate nature
of sound itself. Pitch and tone are not just features of speech but
natural phenomena that we experience from our surroundings (thanks to
our cochlea and auditory canals among other complex physiological
structures and functions). Sound is a reflection of energy. In order
to create speech, sound waves oscillate and permeate the air,
reflecting the delicate movement of the vocal cords and the
reverberation of the oral and nasal cavities.

Solresol, with its basis in musical tones, serves as a reflection not
only of human creativity but also of the fundamental nature of sound
and its role in communication. Just as sound waves echo the intricate
processes of speech production, Solresol mirrors Sudre's vision of a
harmonious and accessible language system, highlighting the
interconnectedness between language, music, and the natural world.

For pronunciation tips and more information on how Solresol works as a
language, visit this website:
https://llllllll.co/t/solresol-constructed-musical-language-1866/64014

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