Why Shakespeare Couldn’t Be French: Rhythm, Melody, and the Music of English

What do Shakespeare, stress timing, and French composers have in common? More than you think — and less than you'd expect. In this episode, I explore why English swings and French glides, and how the rhythm of a language shapes everything from how we speak… to how we write music. We’ll dive into: – What “stress-timed” actually means — and why it matters for your pronunciation – How rhythm differs in English, French, Russian, and even Japanese – What linguists like Peter Roach and Daria Mitciuk have discovered about how we perceive rhythm vs. how it’s actually produced – How Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter is basically a jazz solo with a British accent 🎭 – And why hearing the music of English is the first step to truly owning your voice in it If you're a language lover, a bilingual brain, or a teacher looking to help your students connect with real spoken rhythm — this one’s for you. ✨ PLUS: A sneak peek at my Rhythm & Intonation Workshop (recording available tomorrow!)