Can Music Influence Language and Cognition?

Evidence has suggested that music can improve behavioural performance in several domains, including intelligence. Scientists have also discovered that music can modify the brain at both functional and structural levels. Such neural changes can impact several domains, but one domain seems to be particularly influenced by music-namely, language. Music and language seem to share special features that allow music to improve and shape language processing. This review will first discuss neuroimaging findings related to music training or musical expertise. Then, the influence of music on language processing outcomes will be considered. Finally, we will look into several future directions at the theoretical level, focusing on the relationship between music and language. Also, it will be argued that there are plausible applications for such findings, in particular when considering music as a rehabilitation tool.