Which of the following best describes orthography?

The best description of orthography is the study of spelling. Orthography refers to the conventional spelling system of a language, which includes the rules and norms governing how words are formed using letters. It encompasses aspects such as the correct sequence of letters, capitalization, hyphenation, and the representation of spoken sounds in written form. Understanding orthography is essential for reading and writing, as it directly affects how words are accurately represented on paper.

While the other options touch on related concepts, they do not encapsulate the full definition of orthography as accurately. The study of sounds refers to phonetics, which deals with how sounds are produced and perceived rather than spelling. A collection of letters with meaning suggests an arbitrary grouping of letters, but orthography specifically entails the correct arrangement of letters to form words with recognized meanings. Lastly, the variation of morphemes relates to morphological aspects of language, focusing on the smallest units of meaning rather than the rules of spelling themselves. Therefore, the focus on spelling aligns most closely with the definition of orthography.