This book showcases the current state of the art of research on rhythm in speech and language. Decades of study have revealed that bodily rhythms are crucial for producing and understanding speech and language, and for understanding their evolution and variability across populations-not only adults, but also developmental and clinical populations. It is also clear that there is perplexing dimensionality and variability of rhythm within and across languages. This book offers the scientific foundation for harmonizing physiological universality and cultural diversity, fostering collaborative breakthroughs across research domains. Its fifty chapters cover physiology, cognition, and culture, presenting knowledge from neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, phonetics, and communication research. Ideal for academics, researchers, and professionals seeking interdisciplinary insights into the essence of human communication. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.