Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from another. For example, the difference in sound between the words "bat" and "pat" is a difference of one phoneme.

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What Are Phonemes

Question 8

Multiple Choice

What are phonemes?

A) the rules by which deep structure is translated into surface structure
B) the minimal sound contrasts that distinguish meaning in a language
C) electromagnetic signals that carry messages between speakers in a telephone conversation
D) syntactical structures that distinguish passive constructions from active ones
E) regional differences in dialect

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