Abstract
When we speak, we can vary how we use our voices. Our speech can be high or low (pitch), loud or soft (loudness), and fast or slow (duration). This variation in pitch, loudness, and duration is called speech prosody. It is a bit like making music. Varying our voices when we speak can express sarcasm or emotion and can even change the meaning of what we are saying. So, speech prosody is a crucial part of spoken language. But how do speakers produce prosody? How do listeners hear and understand these variations? Is it possible to hear and interpret prosody in other languages? And what about people whose hearing is not so good? Can they hear and understand prosodic patterns at all? Let’s find out!
Highlights
When we speak, we can vary how we use our voices
Speech prosody is a crucial part of spoken language
It turns out that the levitation charm only works if you say the magic words properly
Summary
SPEECH PROSODY The musical quality of speech, like stress, rhythm, and intonation. It can express sarcasm and emotions, and it can change the meaning of speech. RHYTHM The structured organization of speech parts over time, like the beat of a song. INTONATION The way pitch varies over time, like the melody of a song. During their first year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and his friends learn the levitation charm “Wingardium Leviosa”. Go on!”, replies Ron. With a swish and a flick of her wand, Hermione speaks the charm “Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa!” and her feather slowly rises from her desk. Hermione uses speech prosody to convince her feather to levitate
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