Language is based on basic sound units called __.
A) morphemes
B) semantics
C) registers
D) phonemes
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
D) phonemes
Explanation:
Language is built upon phonemes, which are the smallest units of sound that can distinguish one word from another in a particular language. Phonemes do not carry meaning by themselves, but they help form words when combined in specific ways.
For example, in English, the words “bit” and “pit” differ by only one phoneme: /b/ and /p/. This slight change in sound results in completely different meanings.
Characteristics of Phonemes:
- Smallest Sound Unit – Phonemes are the basic sounds that create differences in meaning.
- Language-Specific – Each language has its own set of phonemes. English has around 44 phonemes, while some languages may have fewer or more.
- Not the Same as Letters – Phonemes represent sounds, not letters. The English alphabet has 26 letters, but many more phonemes because different letter combinations create distinct sounds.
- Categorized into Vowels and Consonants – For example, in English:
- Vowel phonemes: /i/ as in “bit,” /u/ as in “boot.”
- Consonant phonemes: /t/ as in “top,” /k/ as in “cat.”
Importance of Phonemes:
- Foundation of Speech – They form the building blocks of spoken language.
- Essential for Pronunciation – Mispronouncing a phoneme can lead to misunderstanding.
- Critical for Language Learning – Learning phonemes helps in acquiring new languages more efficiently.
In summary, phonemes are fundamental to spoken communication, distinguishing words and shaping the way we understand and use language.