Can music be analyzed rigorously and studied linguistically? This presentation demonstrates that, whilst music as a sensory-perceptual experience cannot be analyzed via linguistic means, aesthetic and cultural concepts written about music can. In Western music, composers have generally continued the tradition of “describing” how their works should be performed, engaging in the use of musical terms such as affettuoso (‘tenderly’ in Italian), etc. Chinese musical concepts present a compelling focal point of study since many have been in use for several millennia. These concepts not only provide a window through which to tap into Chinese music, they are also “cultural key words…which reflect the core values” of Chinese culture (following Wierzbicka 1991: 333). As our linguistic tool for analysis, this study adopts the Natural Semantic Metalanguage, as advanced by Wierzbicka and Goddard. Analyzed meanings of selected Chinese musical concepts illustrate how, why and in what respects these concepts attest to important aesthetic and cultural values in Chinese.

Adrian Tien is an assistant professor in the Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore. His teaching and research interests include linguistics, specializing in the areas of semantics, language and culture, cross-cultural communication, language acquisition, translation and language and music. Dr. Tien is also trained as a musicologist and is a sought-after musician (pianist and carillonneur), being a prizewinner of several international music competitions.

This talk is part of CIUM's Chinese Arts and Culture Festival from September 24 to September 27, 2014.