Phonology is defined as which of the following?

• A. The sound system of a language and the rules that govern sound combinations
• B. The meaning of words
• C. The structure of sentences
• D. The use of language in social contexts

Answer: (A)

Phonology is about the sound system of a language and the rules that govern how those sounds can combine. It focuses on the abstract units of sound (phonemes) and the patterns that tell us which sounds can appear together, where they can appear in syllables, and how they interact across different contexts. It also covers features like phonotactics (which sound sequences are allowed), stress, and intonation that help shape meaning beyond individual words. This is distinct from semantics (meaning of words), syntax (the structure of sentences), and pragmatics (language use in social contexts).