The Role of Random Language

I think the most surprising aspect of the recently-enacted GenArt MonstaMashUp piece was the role played by the random spoken-text.

It struck me that the spoken-text functioned sort of like a reassuring set of instructions, something like "It's okay to not understand exactly what is going on in this movie, just enjoy the mix of images, sounds, and intersections." In other words, the random text seemed important to me as a way to dial-in a particular reception of the piece, without violating the piece's integrity.

Further, the constancy of the spoken-text made its reassuring effect almost trance-like, sort of like the effect of those messages that get repeatedly broadcast in airports --except in the GenArt piece the message was much more reassuring to me than being warned against leaving my baggage unattended. (Although, if we switch contexts to the psychological, I guess we all have psychological baggage that warrants constant reminding to not leave unattended.)

I'm not sure what else to make of the reassuring effect the random spoken-text had on me, other than I might think of using random language in other mashup pieces to try to induce in others the same sort of cognitive relaxation I experienced in the Monsta piece. I imagine the effect of the spoken-text may point to the primacy of language among human sign systems, but I don't really know enough about linguistics or semiotics to even hazard a guess.