Speech prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns in spoken language. It plays a crucial role in conveying meaning, emotion, and emphasis. For example, a rising intonation at the end of a sentence can indicate a question, while a falling intonation often signals a statement. Prosody helps listeners interpret the speaker's intent and emotional state. Variations in pitch, loudness, and tempo can change the interpretation of the same words. Understanding speech prosody is essential for effective communication and is studied in fields like linguistics, psychology, and speech therapy.