McGrath you are correct that English isn't the only language. And your example is fair and honest. But it also presupposes that the Sean Nos singer in gaelic knows what the words are and speaks language as well. It also supposes that the Klezmatiste speaks Yiddish if they are singing a song in Yiddish.

BUT, how does the audience who doesn't speak the language be sung at it know for certain that the singer is singing a ballad of great folk loric import or just melodically calling the audience a bunch of fuckin' idiots and smiling sweetly as it is done?

Don