Prosody

Detailed Explanation:

Prosody refers to the rhythm, intonation, stress, and pitch patterns in speech. It helps convey emotion, emphasis, and meaning beyond the literal words. Prosody makes speech engaging, indicates sentence types (e.g., questions vs. statements), and aids in listener comprehension.

Examples of Prosody:

• Rising intonation at the end of a question.

• Stressing one word in a sentence to shift meaning (“I didn’t say she took it”).

• Expressive reading in storytelling that varies pitch and rhythm.

Related Terms:

• Suprasegmentals

• Intonation

• Speech Rhythm

Frequently Asked Questions About Prosody:

1. Why is prosody important in speech?
   It adds clarity, emotion, and naturalness to spoken language.

2. What happens if prosody is lacking?
   Speech may sound robotic, flat, or harder to interpret emotionally.

3. Can prosody be taught or improved?
   Yes, speech therapy and voice training can help develop expressive prosody.

4. How does prosody affect understanding?
   It signals emphasis, contrasts, and emotional tone, guiding the listener’s interpretation.

5. Do children naturally develop prosody?
   Yes, but some with communication or developmental disorders may need support.