What does phonology refer to in a language?

Phonology refers to the study of the sounds of a language and how they are organized and used in communication. It encompasses aspects such as the systematic patterns of sounds, the rules governing how sounds function within a given language, and the interaction between different sounds. By focusing on the way a language sounds, phonology examines both phonetic quality (the actual physical sound) and abstract sound units (like phonemes) that distinguish one word from another.

The other choices focus on different aspects of language. The structure of sentences pertains to syntax, which examines how words are arranged to form meaningful sentences. The construction of words is related to morphology, which studies the structure and formation of words. Lastly, the meaning of sounds aligns more with semantics, which deals with the meanings attached to words and sounds rather than their actual pronunciation or auditory properties. Thus, the correct understanding of phonology specifically highlights the auditory characteristics of language.