What does orthography refer to?

Orthography refers specifically to the rules and conventions associated with spelling and writing in a particular language. This encompasses the systems of characters used, spelling rules, punctuation, and capitalization standards that dictate how words should be correctly formed and presented in written form. Understanding orthography is crucial in the context of language instruction as it lays the foundation for reading and writing proficiency.

While the other options represent key areas of linguistic study—such as phonetics, syntax, and semantics—they do not describe orthography. The focus of orthography is distinctly on the written representation of language, making the understanding of spelling rules essential for literacy development and effective communication.