What is a phoneme?

A phoneme is defined as the smallest distinguishable unit of sound in a language that can convey meaning. Understanding this is fundamental to phonology, which studies how sounds function in particular languages.

For example, the difference between the words "bat" and "pat" hinges on the initial sounds /b/ and /p/, which are distinct phonemes. Changing a single phoneme can alter the meaning of a word entirely, making phonemes crucial for effective communication. This characteristic distinguishes phonemes from larger units of sound, such as syllables or entire words, which may serve different linguistic functions but do not directly create meaning by their individual sounds.

Recognizing the role of phonemes in language development is vital for educators, especially when supporting learners in phonemic awareness, a key skill for reading and writing.