Which concept encompasses rhythm and intonation patterns of speech?

• A. Phonotactics
• B. Prosody
• C. Utterance
• D. Polysemy

Answer: (B)

Prosody is the aspect of speech that covers rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns. It includes the timing of syllables, the rise and fall of pitch, and the loudness or emphasis placed on words, all of which help convey questions, statements, emotions, and attitudes. This is why it’s the best term for rhythm and intonation. Phonotactics focuses on which sound sequences are legal in a language, not how speech flows in rhythm or pitch. An utterance is simply a unit of spoken language, not the patterned melody of speech. Polysemy deals with multiple meanings of a single word, not how speech is sung through with rhythm or inflection.