What term refers to the collection of phonemes that make up a language's phonology?

What term refers to the collection of phonemes that make up a language's phonology?

• A. Sound system
• B. Phonemes
• C. Phonology
• D. Accent

Answer: (A)

The sound system is the collection of sounds—the inventory of phonemes and how they are organized—that a language uses to distinguish meaning. This term captures the actual set of sounds and their patterns, which is exactly what the question is asking for: the collection that makes up a language’s phonology. Phonology, while closely related, refers to the study of how those sounds function and pattern in a language, not the inventory itself. Phonemes are the individual, distinct sound units within that system. Accent describes variation in pronunciation across speakers or regions, not the entire system itself.

The sound system is the collection of sounds—the inventory of phonemes and how they are organized—that a language uses to distinguish meaning. This term captures the actual set of sounds and their patterns, which is exactly what the question is asking for: the collection that makes up a language’s phonology.

Phonology, while closely related, refers to the study of how those sounds function and pattern in a language, not the inventory itself. Phonemes are the individual, distinct sound units within that system. Accent describes variation in pronunciation across speakers or regions, not the entire system itself.