What do we call the smoothness and flow of speech?

Fluency refers to the smoothness and flow of speech, capturing how effortlessly and coherently a person communicates. It encompasses factors such as the speed of speech, the regularity of pauses, and the absence of interruptions or hesitations that can disrupt the natural rhythm of talking. When someone speaks fluently, their speech appears seamless and easy to follow, which is a crucial component of effective communication.

In contrast, prosody relates more to the patterns of rhythm and sound in speech, including elements like stress and intonation, which contribute to the emotional tone or nuances. Intonation specifically refers to the variation of pitch while speaking, often used to convey meaning or emphasis. Pitch itself is a measure of how high or low a sound is and doesn't directly address the concept of smoothness.