<p>There is a precedent for the use of a musical tone scale in constructed languages: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solresol" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Solresol</a>, a philosophical language constructed in the 19th century. Some natural languages also have a whistled mode, most notably <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbo_Gomero" rel="nofollow noreferrer">El Silbo</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirah%C3%A3" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pirahã</a>.</p>

<p>I am not aware of a language—neither natural nor constructed—that incorporates the concept of rhythm or other musical concepts.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T10:13:27.287Z
2018-08-14T10:13:27.287Z
Sir Cornflakes
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/HHW29.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/HHW29.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>The <em>Yllurian Spell Singing Language</em>  incorporates as part of its magical effect the use of ordinary lexicon &amp; grammar with musical pitch &amp; rhythm.</p>

<p>As a ritual language, for any given spell to be effective, not only must the text be written and sung, but the tones &amp; rhythms must be notated as well. The text may be sung or the notes may be played upon a flute constructed to conform to the particular mode of the music.</p>

<p>You can read a little about the Spell Singing Language <a href="http://world.conlang.org/index.php?title=Yllurian_Spell_Singing_Language" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>here</em></a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-22T00:05:10.120Z
Where can I find sample scripts of Yllurian?
Kyle Zabala
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-22T22:53:26.987Z
@Kyle Zabala --- Thanks for asking! Link to article added.
elemtilas
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-21T18:45:32.453Z
2018-08-23T04:36:57.140Z
2018-08-23T04:36:57.140Z
elemtilas
<p>I want my language, Syn, to be as precise, efficient, unambiguous, and aesthetic as humanely possible. To do that, I think even the texture, dynamics, rhythm, and the likes should be accounted for.</p>

<p>As far as I know, only Mandarin incorporates changes in intonation corresponding with a different meaning of the same spoken word, but even that can be hard to notice for non-speakers.</p>

<hr>

<p>Are there any other languages that incorporte musical concepts?</p>

<p>If there are, how did people manage to use those concepts?</p>

<p>If there are none yet, will such a language possess an added difficulty when speaking it?</p>

<hr>

<p>I imagine that the native speakers of Syn would be naturally adept in tone recognition, and every conversation would seem like an a capella get-together.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T05:57:40.177Z
What you describe Mandarin as is called a tonal language. Tonality is pretty common in natural languages. Note that you also use intonation in English in a more restricted manner (e.g. "You can." vs. "You can?")
Cecilia
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T13:46:38.457Z
Note that some people would consider that [ambiguity *is* aesthetic](https://conlang.stackexchange.com/a/177/113).
curiousdannii
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-23T14:39:38.240Z
Wikipedia has a list of [tonal languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics))
FoxElemental
<phonology><vocabulary><music>
Adding entire musical concepts to expand vocabulary
# Adding entire musical concepts to expand vocabulary

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-14)

I want my language, Syn, to be as precise, efficient, unambiguous, and aesthetic as humanely possible. To do that, I think even the texture, dynamics, rhythm, and the likes should be accounted for.

As far as I know, only Mandarin incorporates changes in intonation corresponding with a different meaning of the same spoken word, but even that can be hard to notice for non-speakers.

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Are there any other languages that incorporte musical concepts?

If there are, how did people manage to use those concepts?

If there are none yet, will such a language possess an added difficulty when speaking it?

---

I imagine that the native speakers of Syn would be naturally adept in tone recognition, and every conversation would seem like an a capella get-together.

**Tags:** phonology, vocabulary, music
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What you describe Mandarin as is called a tonal language. Tonality is pretty common in natural languages. Note that you also use intonation in English in a more restricted manner (e.g. "You can." vs. "You can?")  
> **username_2**: Note that some people would consider that [ambiguity *is* aesthetic](https://conlang.stackexchange.com/a/177/113).  
> **username_3**: Wikipedia has a list of [tonal languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics))  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-08-14. Score: 4

There is a precedent for the use of a musical tone scale in constructed languages: [Solresol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solresol), a philosophical language constructed in the 19th century. Some natural languages also have a whistled mode, most notably [El Silbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbo_Gomero) and [Pirahã](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirah%C3%A3).

I am not aware of a language—neither natural nor constructed—that incorporates the concept of rhythm or other musical concepts.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2018-08-21. Score: 4

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/HHW29.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/HHW29.jpg)

The *Yllurian Spell Singing Language* incorporates as part of its magical effect the use of ordinary lexicon & grammar with musical pitch & rhythm.

As a ritual language, for any given spell to be effective, not only must the text be written and sung, but the tones & rhythms must be notated as well. The text may be sung or the notes may be played upon a flute constructed to conform to the particular mode of the music.

You can read a little about the Spell Singing Language [*here*](http://world.conlang.org/index.php?title=Yllurian_Spell_Singing_Language).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Where can I find sample scripts of Yllurian?  
> **username_5**: @Kyle Zabala --- Thanks for asking! Link to article added.  

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