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The similarities between the rhythm of music and that of spoken English 2.2.1 Analysis of the rhythm of spoken English “The word ‘rhythm’ stem from the Greek word ‘pntmoc’ which originally refers to all processes which are characteristics of evenness and regularity.”[10]Linguistic researches have already shown that every language has its own intonation and its own tonal and rhythmic properties. English is of no exception. It is a typical rhythmical language. “Stress-timing in English is a significant factor that may seriously hinder learners’ effective communication if learners fail to produce satisfactory rhythmic patterns in their speech.” [11] Indeed, rhythm plays a key role in English learning. Correct rhythm of spoken English makes oral expressing clear and fluent and easy to understand; while incorrect rhythm may lead to unnatural expressing, and even create misunderstanding which has a bad influence on successful communication. So, for English learners, it is awfully necessary to master the rhythm of spoken English, that is, to speak English according to the inherent law of the rhythm. In the first place, fluent and idiomatic spoken English requires good command of the rhythm of spoken English. It is not enough only to pronounce single words correctly. For Chinese students, to eliminate “Chinese accent”, they have to put single words in certain correct patterns of rhythm. “Fluent spoken English is not the simple accumulation of a series of pronunciations of words. Actually, because of the restriction of rhythm, only those words that are stressed can be heard clearly, and some sounds of the words that are not stressed are often weakened, omitted. Thus there is a striking contrast between stress and non-stress. Additionally, harmonious rhythm of spoken English also needs the coordination of some important techniques ,such as sound linking，co-articulation, pause, etc. Under the influences of sound linking and co-articulation, pronunciations of single words in the continual speech flow may influence and penetrate one another from time to time. Consequently, even for those words that are stressed in a sentence, their pronunciations are not completely the same as when they are in the state of isolation. It can be said that English speech flow is just like a smooth stream of running water with regular rises and falls. It is quite difficult to imagine how this effect can be achieved when every word of a sentence is pronounced in the way it is pronounced alone.”[12] What’s more, the intelligibility of spoken English makes good sense of rhythm a necessity. English is a typical rhythmical language; and rhythm is a distinctive characteristic of spoken English. “In spoken English, those whose mother language is English will follow the law of the rhythm of spoken English, so they speak English with strong sense of rhythm. What’s more, the better words are organized, the more obvious the rhythm is.”[13] In addition, to express ideas exactly makes good command of the rhythm of spoken English important .Spoken English is not entirely the same as written English .As for spoken English, proper words and correct grammar are still not enough -----successful communication requires more. Only when the speaker uses correct rhythm and stresses properly can he or she express himself or herself as well as possible. 2.2.2 The similarities between the rhythm of music and that of spoken English “Music and language share several features. On th