prosody
Pronunciation: PROS-uh-dee
The rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns of speech that convey meaning and emotional content beyond individual word pronunciation.
Full Definition
Prosody encompasses the suprasegmental features of speech, including stress patterns, intonation contours, rhythm, and timing. These elements contribute significantly to communication effectiveness by conveying emotional states, grammatical relationships, and pragmatic intentions. Prosodic abnormalities are often observed in various communication disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and neurological conditions affecting speech production.
Usage
Usage note: Encompasses multiple acoustic parameters including fundamental frequency, intensity, and duration patterns.
In Context
- "The assessment revealed significant prosodic abnormalities affecting the naturalness of connected speech." — Speech evaluation report
- "Prosody training focused on appropriate stress patterns and intonation contours in conversational contexts." — Treatment documentation