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Phonem

phoneme

noun fo-NAYM Rare
Communication Language

Origin: from Greek phonema (sound)

Usage Note

Phonem is the smallest sound unit that can distinguish meaning. The contrast between Paar and Bar shows that /p/ and /b/ are different Phoneme; phonemes are abstractions, not concrete sounds.

Examples

"Ein Phonem ist keine physische Lautung, sondern eine abstrakte Einheit des Lautsystems."

Natural Translation

A phoneme is not a physical sound but an abstract unit of the sound system.

Literal Translation

A phoneme is no physical sound but an abstract unit of the sound system.

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