Phonological Theory

Phonological Theory studies how sounds function and are organized in languages. It explores the systems and patterns that govern how we produce and perceive speech sounds, focusing on phonemes, the smallest units of sound that can change meaning. For example, changing the sound in "bat" to "pat" changes the word's meaning. This theory helps linguists understand pronunciation, accents, and language change, as well as how sounds interact with each other in speech. Essentially, it’s about the rules and structures that make up the sound system of a language.