phonology Definition
the study of the sound system of a language, including the pronunciation, meaning, and distribution of phonemes.
Using phonology: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "phonology" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Phonology is an important aspect of language acquisition.
Example
The phonology of English is complex.
Example
The phonology of Mandarin Chinese is tonal.
phonology Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for phonology
- sound structure
- phonemics
Phrases with phonology
a theory of phonology that posits the existence of underlying abstract representations of sounds in the mind of speakers
Example
Generative phonology is a popular approach to studying the sound systems of languages.
a theory of phonology that posits that the sound system of a language is shaped by innate, universal principles
Example
Natural phonology suggests that children are born with an innate ability to acquire the sound system of any language.
a theory of phonology that posits that the sound system of a language is best described using nonlinear structures rather than linear sequences of sounds
Example
Nonlinear phonology has been used to explain certain phenomena in the sound systems of languages that cannot be accounted for by linear models.
Summary: phonology in Brief
Phonology [fəˈnɑːlədʒi] is the study of the sound system of a language, including the pronunciation, meaning, and distribution of phonemes. It is an important aspect of language acquisition and can be complex, as seen in the phonology of English and tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese. Different theories of phonology include generative phonology, natural phonology, and nonlinear phonology.
