phonological

UK: ˌfɒnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl | US: ˌfɑːnəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl

Definition
  1. adj. relating to the study of speech sounds and their patterns in language

  2. adj. pertaining to the phonology of a language

Structure
phon <sound>ology <study of>ical <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "phonological" derives from Greek roots. The morpheme "phon" (from Greek phōnē, meaning "sound" or "voice") combines with "-ology" (from Greek -logia, meaning "study of") to form "phonology," the study of sound systems in language. The suffix "-ical" (from Latin -icalis) turns it into an adjective. The term reflects a scientific approach to analyzing how sounds function within languages, evolving from ancient linguistic inquiry to modern linguistic theory.

Examples
  1. The phonological rules of English differ significantly from those of Mandarin.

  2. Linguists often analyze phonological patterns to understand language acquisition.

  3. Her research focuses on phonological changes in regional dialects.

  4. Children develop phonological awareness before mastering reading.

  5. The professor explained the phonological structure of Old English.