Which term describes the system of sounds used in a language, including patterns of speech units and pronunciation rules?

• A. Phonology
• B. Phonological cues
• C. Phonemic awareness
• D. Orthography

Answer: (A)

Phonology is the study of the sound system of a language. It describes how sounds are organized into units such as phonemes and syllables and the rules that govern how those sounds combine and are pronounced in speech. This includes patterns of pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and how sounds interact in word formation. Understanding phonology helps explain why words sound the way they do and how small changes in sounds can change meaning. The other terms refer to related ideas but not the entire sound system: phonemic awareness is about noticing and manipulating individual sounds, orthography is the writing/lettering system, and phonological cues are signals or hints related to sound patterns used in teaching, not the full system itself.