Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What does orthography refer to?

1. A method of writing a language

2. A type of phonological awareness

3. A category of speech sounds

4. A visual representation of words

The correct answer is: A method of writing a language

Orthography refers to the conventional spelling system of a language, which encompasses the rules and methods used to write that language accurately. It deals with the correct arrangement of letters to form words and the standardized way of representing the sounds of a language in written form. This makes the first choice—saying that orthography is a method of writing a language—accurate, as it highlights the importance of established practices for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical structure in the written form of communication. The context of orthography is essential for understanding written language, as it not only involves the spelling of words but also the overall structure and meaningful presentation of a language in its written form. In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of language. For instance, phonological awareness focuses on the sounds of a language rather than how those sounds are represented in writing. A category of speech sounds pertains more to phonetics rather than the conventions of writing. Meanwhile, a visual representation of words could imply a broader concept not limited to the specific rules and conventions encompassed by orthography. Thus, the understanding of orthography is vital for literacy and effective communication in any written language.