News Psychology

Native language might shape musical ability

A global study offers another peek at how language influences cognition

A photo of a man and a woman sharing a pair of headphones while listening to music on a handheld device.

Native speakers of tonal languages have enhanced melodic perception but at the cost of rhythm, a study suggests.

Adam Hester/Tetra images/Getty Images

By McKenzie Prillaman

Your mother tongue may modify your musical ability.

Speaking a native language that requires tones appears to boost perception of melody, but at the cost of rhythm, researchers report April 26 in Current Biology. The massive global study hints at how language skills seep into other areas of cognition (SN: 3/29/23).