[steverb]

And why so many Christian preachers use a very sing song tone (and even sing in some traditions).

[abetusk]

Andre Antunes does satirical takes on the effect [0] [1] [2].

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JPRvxTjfOk

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZFt9KUvYs8

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OxYUhAZOy0

[recuter]

Thank you from the bottom of my cold dark dead heart for posting these links. :)

[ksaj]

Diana Deutsch studied this from essentially the opposite direction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zr9BU0bJoc

It's in our speech all the time. Preachers do exaggerate it. As do politicians and comedians, for example. But Diana pulls it right out of her own speech, and demonstrates that even children instantly recognize the musicality of it as soon as the bit of speech is repeated.