Which term looks at sounds and patterns of particular languages?

Which term looks at sounds and patterns of particular languages?

• A. Phonetics
• B. Phonology
• C. Intonation
• D. Morphemes

Answer: (B)

Phonology studies how a language organizes sounds into a system. It looks at the set of distinct speech sounds (phonemes) in the language, how those sounds contrast to distinguish meaning, and the rules that govern which sound sequences are allowed (phonotactics). This focus on language-specific sound patterns is what ties sounds to meaning within a particular language. Phonetics, in contrast, looks at the physical properties of sounds—their articulation and acoustics—without tying them to a specific language’s system. Intonation deals with pitch patterns across phrases and sentences, a facet of prosody. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning. Therefore, the term that looks at sounds and patterns of particular languages is phonology.

Phonology studies how a language organizes sounds into a system. It looks at the set of distinct speech sounds (phonemes) in the language, how those sounds contrast to distinguish meaning, and the rules that govern which sound sequences are allowed (phonotactics). This focus on language-specific sound patterns is what ties sounds to meaning within a particular language. Phonetics, in contrast, looks at the physical properties of sounds—their articulation and acoustics—without tying them to a specific language’s system. Intonation deals with pitch patterns across phrases and sentences, a facet of prosody. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning. Therefore, the term that looks at sounds and patterns of particular languages is phonology.