Original Paper

Rhythm in Speech and Language
A New Research Paradigm
Klaus J. Kohler

Institute of Phonetics and Digital Speech Processing, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Phonetica 2009;66:29-45 (DOI: 10.1159/000208929)

  Abstract

Like any other aspect of spoken language, rhythm needs to be, and has been, studied from four different perspectives for a comprehensive and insightful account of its nature and functioning in speech communication: symbolic representation, production, perception, communicative function. The paper first gives an overview of the milestones in the analysis of rhythm under the headings of these four approaches over the past 70 years. This survey of the development of scientific ideas in rhythm research prepares the ground for the integration of the four strands in an interrelated framework of linguistic and speech signal analysis. On the basis of a definition of rhythm derived from the theoretical and methodological discussion, a new paradigm is outlined for future research, centred on the listener and on communicative function.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Dr. Klaus J. Kohler, Holm 4, DE-24113 Molfsee (Germany), Tel. +49 431 651453, E-Mail kjk@ipds.uni-kiel.de

  Article Information

Received: September 10, 2008
Accepted: December 8, 2008
Published online: April 08, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 17

Additional supplementary material is available online - Number of Parts : 1