How is orthography best defined?

• A. Study of sentence structure
• B. Study of word meanings
• C. How words are spelled
• D. Study of language evolution

Answer: (C)

Orthography is best defined as the system of spelling and writing conventions specific to a particular language. It encompasses rules related to the correct representation of a language's words and includes aspects such as letter combinations, capitalizations, and punctuation. The focus is on how words are spelled, which directly reflects the phonetic sounds and structures of the language in question. Understanding orthography is crucial for literacy, as proper spelling is essential for effective communication and comprehension in written language.

The other definitions provided relate to different aspects of language study. The study of sentence structure pertains to syntax, which focuses on how words are arranged to create meaningful sentences. The study of word meanings refers to semantics, which examines the meanings of words and how they relate to each other. The study of language evolution looks at how languages develop and change over time, an area of study within historical linguistics. In contrast, orthography specifically zeroes in on spelling conventions.