phonology

noun2

1. •
   The study of the way sounds function in languages, including accent, intonation, phonemes, stress, and syllable structure, and which sounds are distinctive units within a language; (countable) the way sounds function within a given language; a phonological system.

   • The Achean, the ancient Malayu and other mixed phonologies possessing a considerable degree of harshness, were thus formed. — 1856
2. •
   The study of the way components of signs function in a sign language, and which components are distinctive units within the language; (countable) the way components of signs function within a given sign language.

   • Sign language linguists have produced many volumes of description of the phonology and morphology of signs and the syntax of sign languages. — 1995