What does a spoken language disorder primarily affect?

A spoken language disorder primarily affects the acquisition and use of language across modalities. This includes not only the ability to produce spoken language but also to understand and use language in various contexts and forms, such as comprehension and the use of verbal language appropriately in conversations.

When someone experiences a spoken language disorder, they may struggle with various aspects of language, including grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to communicate effectively in different situations. This broad impact on language acquisition and usage highlights the complexity of spoken language disorders, which can affect both expressive language (how one communicates) and receptive language (how one understands language).

The other options are limited in scope. For example, focusing solely on phonetics and phonology overlooks the overall structure and function of language, while concentrating exclusively on verbal communication neglects nonverbal elements such as gestures and body language. Lastly, awareness of social nuances is a specific aspect of pragmatic language skills, which is just one part of the broader language use affected by a spoken language disorder. Hence, the correct answer encompasses the holistic nature of language as it relates to spoken language disorders.