Speech Rhythm: Its Relation to Performance Universals and Articulatory Timing.

Abstract: The observed rhythms produced and perceived in spoken language are closely related to rhythms of other human behavior. This relationship is examined in terms of (1) the types of rhythmic structures observed, (2) the rate of succession of rhythmic units, (3) a perceptual tendency toward equalization of physically unequal intervals, and (4) the variability of rhythmic motor action. Universal rhythmic principles underlying this relationship are incorporated into languages in different ways, however, depending upon deeper phonological, syntactic, and lexical constraints, thus giving both competence and performance aspects to rhythm rules.