Reading Oliver Sack's latest book, The Mind's Eye, and I am reminded of how therapeutic music is to those who have suffered strokes, head injuries, or similar brain damage. In one of his earlier books, Sacks describes a man who could no longer identify objects, at one point mistaking his wife for a hat. The man was able to function in his daily life by coming up with melodies or tunes to help him "remember" things.
In The Mind's Eye, there are similar stories. A woman with right side paralysis and aphasia (caused by a massive stroke) is able to speak through songs and music. Aphasia is the inability to use language. But by putting the words to a melody, the person is able to "set the words free." As I mentioned in an earlier post, music comprehension and creation is global. The whole brain is involved in music listening and making. So, it makes sense that those with language difficulties are able to communicate, even after the language portions of their brains are damaged (because language is more localized in the brain).
Stutterers are also able to communicate clearly when singing to music. Haven't you noticed how incomprehensible Ozzy Osbourne is when he's speaking, but can be completely understood when he's singing? Interesting stuff.
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