What does a grapheme represent?

A grapheme represents a written representation of a phoneme, which is the smallest unit of sound in spoken language. In essence, graphemes are the letters or letter combinations that correspond to specific sounds that we pronounce. For example, the letter "b" stands for the phoneme /b/, while the letter combination "ch" represents the phoneme /tʃ/. This connection is crucial for understanding how written language communicates the sounds of spoken language.

The focus on the relationship between graphemes and phonemes is fundamental in phonics and literacy education, as it helps learners decode words by associating written letters with their corresponding sounds. This foundational understanding is essential for teaching reading and writing effectively.