Which aspect of language does phonology primarily address?

Phonology primarily addresses the abstract sound units and their patterns within a particular language. This branch of linguistics focuses on how sounds function in particular languages, which includes the rules that govern the way these sounds can be arranged and combined. Phonology examines the underlying structures and systems that dictate how different phonemes (the smallest units of sound) interact with one another, leading to the formation of words and syllables.

Understanding phonology involves analyzing the patterns of sounds, such as which sounds can occur together in a syllable and how the sounds change in different contexts, which is essential for comprehending pronunciation and meaning in spoken language. This distinguishes it from other areas, such as phonetics, which deals with the production and physical properties of speech sounds, or orthography, which focuses on the rules and standards governing written language.