What is the definition of a phoneme?

A phoneme is defined as a sound in a language that can distinguish meaning between words. It represents the smallest unit of sound that contributes to the meaning of a word. For example, the difference in sounds between the words "pat" and "bat" comes from the initial phoneme /p/ vs. /b/.

Understanding that phonemes are not letters is key; while letters are the symbols that represent these sounds in written form, phonemes are the actual sounds we hear or produce in speech. Phonemes can vary significantly across different languages and dialects, and their combination creates the unique sounds that form words. This concept is fundamental in the study of speech and language disorders, as difficulties in recognizing or producing phonemes can greatly affect a person's ability to communicate effectively.