Which term refers to the smallest part of written language?

The term that refers to the smallest part of written language is a grapheme. A grapheme can be a single letter, a group of letters, or even symbols that represent sounds in a language. It is the visual representation of a phoneme, which is the smallest unit of sound in spoken language. For instance, in the word "cat," the letters 'c', 'a', and 't' are individual graphemes that correspond to the sounds that form the word. This understanding is crucial in reading instruction, where recognizing that graphemes form the basis for connecting sound and letter recognition can aid in developing reading skills.

In contrast, phonemes relate specifically to the smallest unit of sound rather than written representation. Syllables are larger units of sound that include a vowel sound and can consist of multiple phonemes. Phonological refers to the broader concept of sound systems in languages, encompassing phonemes and syllables, but does not specifically relate to written language. Thus, grapheme is the appropriate term for the smallest part of written language.