Cognitive Phonology

Cognitive Phonology is a branch of linguistics that focuses on how our minds understand and produce sounds in language. It explores how our cognitive processes, like memory and perception, shape the sounds we use and how we interpret them. This field examines the relationship between phonetics (the sounds) and phonology (the rules governing sound systems) while considering the mental frameworks that underlie language. By studying Cognitive Phonology, researchers aim to understand not just the mechanics of speech, but also the cognitive strategies that people employ to organize and comprehend linguistic sounds effectively.