Which term describes speech sounds or the individual parts of a sign?

Which term describes speech sounds or the individual parts of a sign?

• A. Phonology
• B. Modality
• C. Prosody
• D. Morphology

Answer: (A)

Phonology describes the system of sounds in a language and the individual units that distinguish meaning. In spoken languages, this means the sound units we use to contrast words; in sign languages, the same idea applies to the parts that make up a sign (such as handshape, location, movement, and orientation) that distinguish meaning. So this term is the best fit because it covers both speech sounds and the building blocks of signs. Modality refers to the channel of expression (spoken or signed) rather than the unit structure. Prosody deals with rhythm, stress, and intonation rather than the discrete units themselves. Morphology focuses on how words are formed from meaningful units (morphemes), not on the sound or sign components.

Phonology describes the system of sounds in a language and the individual units that distinguish meaning. In spoken languages, this means the sound units we use to contrast words; in sign languages, the same idea applies to the parts that make up a sign (such as handshape, location, movement, and orientation) that distinguish meaning. So this term is the best fit because it covers both speech sounds and the building blocks of signs. Modality refers to the channel of expression (spoken or signed) rather than the unit structure. Prosody deals with rhythm, stress, and intonation rather than the discrete units themselves. Morphology focuses on how words are formed from meaningful units (morphemes), not on the sound or sign components.