In speech, which of these can indicate a change in meaning based on how it is emphasized?

The correct answer highlights the role of prosodic features in speech, which encompass elements such as intonation, stress, rhythm, and pitch variation. These features are crucial in communication as they can alter the meaning or emotional tone of spoken language. For example, emphasizing certain words or syllables can change a question into a statement or imply sarcasm, thereby affecting how the listener interprets the message.

In contrast, while vowels and consonants are fundamental components of speech sounds, they typically do not convey changes in meaning through emphasis in the same way that prosody does. Syllable counts can indicate structure in spoken language but do not inherently change meaning through variation in emphasis. Therefore, prosodic features are key to understanding how nuances in speech can significantly impact comprehension and convey different meanings.