Abstract
This chapter considers the ways in which vocal and other forms of music may function to foster communication between otherwise disconnected individuals. It begins with a metaphorical example. Interesting problems of recognition and communication occur on Earth without the need to consider the extraterrestrial dimension. When traveling to another country, especially if the language is different, it can seem like the first day of school all over again. Nonverbal communication becomes an even more important medium during everyday speech—from pointing to pantomime to body posture. These codes, however, are not immune from cultural influence: rules exist regarding proximity and the meaning of certain gestures. Successful use requires social learning, including observation, imitation, and trial-and-error. Nonverbal, or at least non-vocal, codes are also not unique to humans—a songbird is being studied that uses a combination of melodies and non-vocal gestures. The combination bears striking resemblances to the ways in which humans compound these communicative forms.
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