The sounds that are meaningful, or can create differences in meaning, are called:
A) phones
B) allophones
C) phonemes
D) distinctive features

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language that can change the meaning of a word. They are distinct sounds in a language that are used to differentiate between words. For example, the phonemes /b/ and /p/ distinguish between the words "bat" and "pat." Allophones are variations of phonemes that do not change the meaning of a word but can vary depending on their context. Phones and distinctive features are broader categories that include both phonemes and allophones.

The Sounds That Are Meaningful, or Can Create Differences in Meaning