The emergence of prosody in linguistic theory

Abstract

Prosody is a unique character in the production of sounds. Human speech is particularly marked by prosody for various functions in the different aspects of linguistics (e.g. phonology, morphology, sociolinguistics). The importance of prosody in human language had been known since very early periods of modern civilisation. Both Western and Eastern traditions had put a lot of emphasis on the proper practice of prosodic rhymes and rhythms in the use of language whether it was for analysing grammar or for praying to God or any other superior spirit. Subsequent developments in linguistics have revealed the central role played by prosody in determining the innate grammar of human language. This paper attempts to discuss in brief the evolution of the thought on prosody and its current standing in the field of linguistics.