GRAPHEMIC Meaning and
Definition
-
Graphemic is an adjective that pertains to the study or analysis of writing systems, specifically focusing on the relationships between written symbols and the sounds or meaning they represent. It refers to the field of linguistics concerned with the written components of language.
In terms of phonetics and phonology, graphemic analysis explores the connection between the individual sounds of a language and their written representations. This includes examining the correspondences between letters or letter combinations and specific phonemes or phonological patterns. For example, in English, the grapheme "sh" represents the phoneme /ʃ/ in words like "sheep" or "wish."
In addition, graphemic analysis also investigates the relationship between the written form of words and their meaning. This may involve the study of morphemes, which are the smallest units of language that carry meaning. For instance, the graphemes "un-" and "-able" in the word "unbelievable" contribute to the overall meaning of the word.
Furthermore, graphemic analysis can encompass the examination of writing systems themselves, such as alphabets, logographic systems (e.g., Chinese characters), or syllabic scripts (e.g., Japanese kana). It investigates the rules and conventions governing the formation, organization, and usage of written symbols within a particular writing system.
Overall, the term "graphemic" denotes the interdisciplinary study of the written aspects of language, encompassing phonetics, phonology, morphology, and the analysis of writing systems.
Common Misspellings for GRAPHEMIC
Etymology of GRAPHEMIC
The word "graphemic" is derived from the combination of two root words: "graph" and "eme".
1. "Graph" comes from the Greek word "graphos", which means "to write" or "a written mark". It is derived from the Greek verb "graphein".
2. "Eme" is a linguistic term used to refer to a minimal unit of meaning or function within a language. It is derived from the Greek word "emerin", meaning "to take", "to buy", or "to take as one's own".
When combined, "graph" and "eme" create "grapheme", which is defined as the smallest meaningful unit of written language, such as a letter or a combination of letters representing a specific sound.
