FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What does phonology study?

1. Grammatical rules

2. Patterns and formation of words

3. Structure of sentences

4. Speech sounds

The correct answer is: Speech sounds

Phonology is the branch of linguistics that focuses specifically on the study of speech sounds and their patterns in a given language. It examines how sounds function and interact with each other within a particular language system, including the rules governing sound combinations, syllable structure, and the organization of sounds in speech. This field is concerned with understanding how sounds convey meaning and how they are used in communication. For instance, phonology looks at aspects like phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning, and how they are organized in natural speech. While grammatical rules, the patterns and formation of words, and the structure of sentences are important linguistic concepts, they fall under different branches of linguistics—morphology and syntax, respectively. Therefore, the focus of phonology is distinctly on the sounds themselves, making D the accurate choice.