I．Brainstorming

Have ever heard phonology? What is phonology?

II. Phonology

1. Definition of phonology

Phonology is the study of sound systems and patterns. Phonology and phonetics are two studies different in perspectives, which are concerned with the study of speech sounds. •

2. Phonology focuses on three fundamental questions

• What sounds make up the list of sounds that can distinguish meaning in a particular language?

• What sounds vary in what ways in what context?

• What sounds can appear together in a sequence in a particular language?

III. Phonemes and allophones

A phoneme is a distinctive, abstract sound unit with a distinctive feature.

The one in lead is clear, [l], the one in deal is dark [l], and the one in slight is voiceless [l]. These variants of a phoneme are termed allophones. We use allophones to realize phonemes.

IV. Conclusion

Phonology is the study of sound systems and patterns. A phoneme is a distinctive, abstract sound unit with a distinctive feature. The variants of a phoneme are termed allophones.