Sprechtempo

Sprechtempo (German for "speaking tempo" or "speech rate") denotes the rate at which spoken language is produced. It is a dimension of prosody and speech rhythm, and is commonly described in terms of words per minute (wpm) or syllables per second.

In everyday conversation, adult speech typically falls within a broad range that depends on language, context, and individual style; for many languages a comfortable speaking rate for comprehension lies roughly around 120 to 180 wpm, while reading aloud or public addresses may run slower (about 100–150 wpm) for clarity.

Variations in tempo convey emphasis, indicate syntactic boundaries, and help manage turn-taking. Pauses, hesitations, and word or phrase lengthening interact with tempo to shape meaning and listener perception. Fast tempo can communicate excitement or urgency but may reduce intelligibility, especially with complex syntax or unfamiliar vocabulary; slow tempo can emphasize points and aid processing but may bore listeners if overextended. Tempo also interacts with articulation and breathing; languages with complex consonant clusters or tonal contrasts may appear slower or faster depending on articulation.

Factors influencing Sprechtempo include linguistic structure (sentence length, complexity), discourse function (narration, persuasion, questioning), speaker intention, audience expectations, and sociolinguistic norms. Cultural and language differences produce varied normative rates; dramatic or performative contexts (radio, dubbing, acting) often stage tempo changes deliberately. Measurements rely on corpus analyses, speech analytics, or transcription of spoken material.

See also: prosody, speech rate, Sprechstimme, rhythm in language.