What term describes the rhythm of a language?

The term that describes the rhythm of a language is prosody. Prosody encompasses the patterns of stress, intonation, and timing in speech, which together create the overall rhythm and melody of spoken language. It is a crucial aspect of communication that affects meaning, as variations in pitch and duration can convey emotions, questions, or statements. Prosody contributes to the expressiveness of language and helps listeners understand nuances that are not evident through words alone.

While tempo refers to the speed of speech and cadence can indicate patterns or flow in speech, neither captures the comprehensive nature of rhythm in language as effectively as prosody does. Additionally, the term beat might suggest a more musical approach to rhythm, but prosody encompasses broader features, including pitch variation and stress patterns, making it the most accurate descriptor for the rhythm of language.