Biological rhythms

Human Speech Follows a Universal Rhythm Every 1.6 Seconds

A large cross-linguistic study has revealed that human speech worldwide follows a universal rhythm, with intonation units appearing roughly every 1.6 seconds. These rhythmic chunks structure conversation, helping listeners track meaning, take turns, and absorb information.The rhythm also aligns with low-frequency brain activity tied to memory, attention, and volitional action, suggesting speech pacing is deeply rooted in human cognition. The findings could impact AI speech design, therapies for speech disorders, and understanding of how language connects to brain function. ….[READ]