Children of Deaf Adults (Codas) grow up at the intersection of two worlds: the Deaf world, where visual-spatial language and culture are paramount, and the hearing world, where auditory language and music are central to communication and expression. This dual exposure shapes Codas in extraordinary ways, fostering a unique, often profound connection to music. This article explores the scientific and psychological reasons why Codas often have a deep appreciation for music, how it influences them, and why they feel a need for visual expression in their musical experience.
1. The Bimodal Brain: A Dual Sensory Approach to Language and Sound
Unlike monolingual or unimodal bilingual individuals, Codas often grow up fluent in both sign language (visual-spatial) and spoken language (auditory). This dual language processing makes Codas “bimodal bilinguals,” engaging both auditory and visual processing centers in their brains more fluidly than their monolingual counterparts. Studies have shown that bilingual individuals, especially bimodal ones, develop heightened cognitive flexibility and sensory integration, enhancing their ability to process and combine information from multiple modalities (Petitto et al., 2000; Perani et al., 1998).
For Codas, music may become an essential sensory and emotional outlet. Since they naturally integrate visual and auditory stimuli, music allows them to experience sound as both a sensory and visual phenomenon, and this multisensory experience likely deepens their appreciation for it. They don’t simply hear music; they can see and feel it, often visualizing beats, rhythms, and melodies in ways that others might not.
2. The Need for Visual Expression in Musical Experiences
For Codas, music is not only about sound; it’s about movement and visual rhythm as well. Studies on cross-modal processing suggest that those who are regularly exposed to both visual and auditory languages may interpret sounds with a heightened awareness of rhythm and movement (Calvert & Thesen, 2004). Codas may often “see” rhythms as visual patterns or feel compelled to express their musical experience through movement or dance. This visual need arises from their familiarity with sign language, which relies on rhythm, hand shapes, and spatial positioning to convey meaning.
In fact, research on Deaf musicians and dancers shows a similar trend; they often use visual and kinetic cues to experience music fully. Codas share this affinity, often adding physical or visual expression to their musical experiences. For them, dancing, signing, or moving to music may not simply be a complement to the sound—they’re integral parts of how they experience it. In this way, Codas’ experience of music is holistic, engaging the body as much as the mind.
3. Music as an Emotional Bridge
For many Codas, music serves as a bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds. Because they grow up navigating between these cultures, they often seek ways to connect the two. Music, with its emotional universality, provides a medium that transcends language barriers. Codas might feel music as an emotional anchor, enabling them to connect to the hearing world in a way that words alone cannot. Listening to music may allow them to engage in an auditory experience they can then share visually with their Deaf family members, fostering a shared appreciation for rhythm and beat.
Additionally, studies show that bilinguals often process emotions differently in each language, feeling more intense responses to stimuli in one language compared to the other (Grosjean, 2010). For Codas, this heightened emotional response might extend to music, where sound becomes a conduit for feelings and experiences tied to their auditory heritage, allowing them to process emotions uniquely tied to their hearing identity.
4. Bilingualism and Enhanced Cognitive Flexibility
Bilinguals, especially bimodal bilinguals like Codas, show enhanced cognitive flexibility and improved problem-solving skills. Research by Perani and colleagues (1998) found that bilinguals exhibit greater neuroplasticity in brain regions related to sensory processing and executive function. This plasticity, coupled with the sensory integration required to navigate both spoken and sign languages, may allow Codas to appreciate the complex structure of music—its rhythm, tempo changes, and layered harmonies—with a deeper understanding.
This cognitive flexibility can enrich their engagement with music, allowing them to approach it not only as an auditory experience but as a multisensory one. Codas may find themselves visualizing music as movement or pattern, even “translating” sound into visual images, colors, or shapes. Their bilingual brain may also recognize musical structure as something akin to linguistic syntax, deepening their appreciation for music’s “language” of rhythm and melody.
Conclusion: A Unique Relationship with Music
The profound relationship Codas often have with music is deeply rooted in their experiences as bimodal bilinguals and cultural bridges between the Deaf and hearing communities. Music is more than just an auditory experience for Codas; it is an emotional, visual, and multisensory phenomenon. This layered experience shapes how they connect to music, making it both an outlet for self-expression and a way to bridge the worlds they navigate daily. For many Codas, music becomes an essential part of their identity, enriching their lives in a way that reflects their unique cognitive and sensory experiences.
In a world that often overlooks the unique experiences of Codas, recognizing their love for music as an expression of their complex identities provides a window into the rich, often unseen tapestry of Coda life.
References:
- Petitto, L.A., et al. (2000). Cross-linguistic influence on the brain. Neuroscience.
- Perani, D., et al. (1998). Brain processing of language in bilinguals. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.
- Grosjean, F. (2010). Bilingual: Life and Reality.
the Coda Counselor 
Leave a comment