Asked by Param Sidhu on May 19, 2024
Verified
What are the smallest speech units in a language that can be distinguished perceptually
A) sounds
B) morphemes
C) words
D) phonemes
Phonemes
The smallest unit of sound in speech that can be used to distinguish one word from another in a given language.
Morphemes
The smallest units of meaning in a language.
Sounds
Sounds that propagate through the air or different mediums and are audible when they arrive at an individual's or animal's ear.
- Gain an understanding of the core elements of language and their purposes (phonemes, morphemes, syntax, semantics).
Verified Answer
LN
Lindy Nichols-RomeroMay 21, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Phonemes are the smallest speech units in a language that can be distinguished perceptually. They are the basic building blocks of language and differentiate one word from another. For example, the /b/ sound in "bat" is a different phoneme than the /p/ sound in "pat". Each phoneme is represented by a unique symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
Learning Objectives
- Gain an understanding of the core elements of language and their purposes (phonemes, morphemes, syntax, semantics).