1|Page
ENG1502 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 16
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
ENG1502 Assignment 01 (2026)
Question 1
1.1
Statement:
Language as a system of rules means that there is a set of rules that applies to all
languages; however, the rules exclude orthography.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
Language as a system of rules refers to the structured principles that govern how a
language operates. These rules include several components such as phonology
(sound patterns), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure),
semantics (meaning), and orthography (spelling and writing conventions).
Orthography is therefore part of the rule system because it regulates how words are
written and spelled in a language. Without orthographic rules, written communication
would lack consistency and clarity. Therefore, the claim that language rules exclude
orthography is incorrect, since orthography is an important component of the linguistic
system that allows written language to function effectively (Mullany et al., 2015).
1.2
, 2|Page
Statement:
The study of physiological qualities of speech sounds is known as phonology.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
The study of the physiological and physical production of speech sounds is known
as phonetics, not phonology. Phonetics focuses on how sounds are produced by the
speech organs (such as the tongue, lips, and vocal cords), how they travel through the
air, and how they are perceived by listeners.
In contrast, phonology studies the sound systems of languages, specifically how
sounds function and interact within a particular language to create meaning. Phonology
therefore examines patterns of sounds, such as stress, intonation, and the rules that
determine which sounds can appear together in a language. Because physiological
speech sound production falls under phonetics rather than phonology, the statement is
incorrect (Mullany et al., 2015).
1.3
Statement:
To understand that the word blackboard is a combination of two words, one needs to
draw on their knowledge of syntax.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
Recognising that the word blackboard is formed by combining two smaller words (black
and board) requires knowledge of morphology, not syntax. Morphology is the branch of
linguistics that studies the structure and formation of words, including how words are
created from smaller units called morphemes.
ENG1502 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 16
April 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
ENG1502 Assignment 01 (2026)
Question 1
1.1
Statement:
Language as a system of rules means that there is a set of rules that applies to all
languages; however, the rules exclude orthography.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
Language as a system of rules refers to the structured principles that govern how a
language operates. These rules include several components such as phonology
(sound patterns), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure),
semantics (meaning), and orthography (spelling and writing conventions).
Orthography is therefore part of the rule system because it regulates how words are
written and spelled in a language. Without orthographic rules, written communication
would lack consistency and clarity. Therefore, the claim that language rules exclude
orthography is incorrect, since orthography is an important component of the linguistic
system that allows written language to function effectively (Mullany et al., 2015).
1.2
, 2|Page
Statement:
The study of physiological qualities of speech sounds is known as phonology.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
The study of the physiological and physical production of speech sounds is known
as phonetics, not phonology. Phonetics focuses on how sounds are produced by the
speech organs (such as the tongue, lips, and vocal cords), how they travel through the
air, and how they are perceived by listeners.
In contrast, phonology studies the sound systems of languages, specifically how
sounds function and interact within a particular language to create meaning. Phonology
therefore examines patterns of sounds, such as stress, intonation, and the rules that
determine which sounds can appear together in a language. Because physiological
speech sound production falls under phonetics rather than phonology, the statement is
incorrect (Mullany et al., 2015).
1.3
Statement:
To understand that the word blackboard is a combination of two words, one needs to
draw on their knowledge of syntax.
Answer:
FALSE
Reason:
Recognising that the word blackboard is formed by combining two smaller words (black
and board) requires knowledge of morphology, not syntax. Morphology is the branch of
linguistics that studies the structure and formation of words, including how words are
created from smaller units called morphemes.
