What is a phoneme?

A phoneme is identified as the smallest unit of sound in language. This concept is fundamental in phonology and is crucial for understanding how words are constructed and pronounced. For instance, in the word "cat," the individual sounds /k/, /æ/, and /t/ are each considered phonemes. By recognizing phonemes, individuals can better understand how to decode words during reading, as well as how to decipher and produce the sounds of their language.

Understanding phonemes also lays the groundwork for phonemic awareness, which is essential for learning to read. Phonemic awareness involves the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words, which correlates strongly with reading success. Thus, recognizing phonemes is a key skill in literacy development.