What term describes the rhythm, cadence, and inflection of our voices?

The term that describes the rhythm, cadence, and inflection of our voices is prosody. This concept encompasses various vocal attributes such as pitch, loudness, tempo, and the rhythmic flow of speech. Prosody plays a crucial role in conveying meaning and emotion in verbal communication. For instance, variations in prosody can indicate questions versus statements, express enthusiasm or boredom, and help clarify the intent behind the words spoken.

Melody refers more to the musical aspect of sound, focusing on the sequence of notes that create a musical phrase, rather than the nuances of spoken language. Tempo, while related to the pace at which something is spoken, does not fully capture the broader elements of vocal expression that prosody entails. Syntax is concerned with the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences and does not address the vocal qualities that contribute to meaning and expression.