Which of the following best describes the primary focus of phonology?

The primary focus of phonology is the structure and use of sound in language. Phonology involves studying how sounds function within a particular language or languages, including the rules that govern sound combinations and patterns. This discipline looks at aspects such as phonemes— the smallest units of sound that can distinguish meaning—as well as how these sounds can be organized and structured in speech. By examining sound patterns, phonology helps explain phenomena like stress, intonation, and the various ways sounds can change or combine in different linguistic contexts.

Other aspects like language meaning, cultural context, and the relationship between words and their forms pertain to different areas of linguistic study. For instance, semantics is concerned with the meaning of words and phrases, while morphology investigates the structure of words. Phonology remains distinctly focused on sound systems, making it a crucial component of linguistic theory.