THE LANGUAGE CHALLENGE
One challenge in presenting music health services is that approaches need to be negotiated and delivered through language that is suitable to people from a wide range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. There is presently no common international language for discussing all aspects of musical functioning in society across different professional domains such as, Music Education, Music Health, Music Performance, and Music Communication Science.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO, 2001) provides some guidelines on terminology for musical activity participation. Excerpts from the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) that are relevant to music are outlined below. There may be possibilities for refining and extending this classification for musical functioning, but this has not yet been explored with the World Health Organisation who consulted with over 200 countries to develop the International Classification of Functioning. It appears that musicians are yet to make a comment on the suitability of the classification for the music sector.
The ICF is a beginning, but it is not yet comprehensive enough to cover all aspects of musical functioning and every musical environment. There is a strong argument for individualising and tailoring language about music to the environmental context and people's circumstances. At the same time, the need for a universal system of nomenclature, especially for research is recognised.
Perhaps communities can experiment with the broad categories of the ICF and develop local variations and extensions to suit their needs. It would be helpful to have feedback on how relevant the ICF terminology is for music is in Australia and other countires. Copies of the ICF can be purchased from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and there is an online version that can be searched at http://www.who.int/classifications/icf/en/.
EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING, DISABILITY AND HEALTH (WHO, 2001) RELATED TO MUSIC ACTIVITIES.
| b3400 |
Production of notes
Functions of production of musical vocal sounds. Inclusions: sustaining, modulating and terminating production of single or connected vocalizations with variation in pitch such as in singing, humming and chanting.
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| b340 |
Alternative vocalization functions
Functions of the production of other manners of vocalization. Inclusions: functions of the production of notes and range of sounds, such as in singing, chanting, babbling and humming; crying aloud and screaming. Exclusions: mental functions of language (b167); voice functions (b310); articulation functions (b320); fluency and rhythm of speech functions (b330).
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| d115 |
Listening
Using the sense of hearing intentionally to experience auditory stimuli, such as listening to a radio, music or a lecture.
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| d3151 |
Communicating with - receiving - general signs and symbols
Comprehending the meaning represented by public signs and symbols, such as traffic signs, warning symbols, musical or scientific notations, and icons.
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| d3351 |
Producing signs and symbols
Conveying meaning by using signs and symbols (e.g. icons, Bliss board, scientific symbols) and symbolic notation systems, such as using musical notation to convey a melody.
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| d920 |
Recreation and leisure
Engaging in any form of play, recreational or leisure activity, such as informal or organized play and sports, programmes of physical fitness, relaxation, amusement or diversion, going to art galleries, museums, cinemas or theatres; engaging in crafts or hobbies, reading for enjoyment, playing musical instruments; sightseeing, tourism and travelling for pleasure. Inclusions: play, sports, arts and culture, crafts, hobbies and socializing. Exclusions: riding animals for transportation (d480); remunerative and non-remunerative work (d850 and d855); religion and spirituality (d930); political life and citizenship (d950)
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| d9202 |
Arts and culture
Engaging in, or appreciating, fine arts or cultural events, such as going to the theatre, cinema, museum or art gallery, or acting in a play, reading for enjoyment or playing a musical instrument.
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| e1400 |
General products and technology for culture, recreation and sport
Equipment, products and technology used for the conduct and enhancement of cultural, recreational and sporting activities, such as toys, skis, tennis balls and musical instruments, not adapted or specially designed.
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e1401
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Assistive products and technology for culture, recreation and sport
Adapted or specially designed equipment, products and technology used for the conduct and enhancement of cultural, recreational and sporting activities, such as modified mobility devices for sports, adaptations for musical and other artistic performance.
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| e250 |
Sound
A phenomenon that is or may be heard, such as banging, ringing, thumping, singing, whistling, yelling or buzzing, in any volume, timbre or tone, and that may provide useful or distracting information about the world. Inclusions: sound intensity; sound quality.
Other
It could be argued that many other categories that do not specifically mention music would also be relevant, such as remunerative and non-remunerative work (d850 and d855); religion and spirituality (d930); political life and citizenship (d950).
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