phonemic system
- noun
- /fəˈnɛmɪk ˈsɪstəm/
- Specialized
:
sistema fonémico
- Every language organizes its sounds differently, using a unique phonemic system.
Examples
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Linguists compare the phonemic system of various languages to understand their similarities and differences.
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The English phonemic system includes 44 distinct sounds.
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Children learn the phonemic system of their native language at an early age.
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Can you explain the phonemic system of Spanish?
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The phonemic system of English includes sounds like /b/, /d/, and /g/ that differentiate meanings.
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Each language has its own unique phonemic system that influences how words are pronounced.
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Understanding the phonemic system is essential for learning how to read and pronounce words correctly.
Synonyms
1
8.7
The study of how a language uses and organizes sounds
A set of speech sounds and rules for using them in a language
The system of sounds used in a language to make words
How Complex
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'phonemic' (relating to distinct sounds or phonemes) with 'system' (an organized set), so the meaning 'the set of phonemes in a language' is directly derivable from the parts. While somewhat technical, the compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.
Etymology
Phonemic system shows a language's set of basic sound building blocks, where phonemic is about sounds and system means a group of parts. These 'phonemes' are the different sounds a language uses to make or change words, so the phrase means 'the set of distinct phonemes a language uses'.