Difference between revisions of "Grapheme"
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| − | A '''grapheme''' is the smallest significant unit in writing. For example, any ''letter'' is a '''grapheme'''. There are two graphemes in any literate person's writing | + | A '''grapheme''' is the smallest significant unit in writing. For example, any ''letter'' is a '''grapheme'''. There are two graphemes for each 'letter of the alphabet' in any literate person's writing of English (and indeed most European languages) the [[upper case]] and [[lower case]] forms, 'A' and 'a'. In print and handwriting, the lower case of letters such as 'a' and 'g' may be represented in at least two different ways, quite apart from the variations between individuals' different 'hands'. |
| − | If we add another '''grapheme''' in the form of an [[accent]] or [[diacritic]], the significance of the letter changes. So these accents or diacritics are graphemes. For example, ' | + | If we add another '''grapheme''' in the form of an [[accent]] or [[diacritic]], the significance of the letter changes. So these accents or diacritics are graphemes. For example, 'é' is not the same, in French, as 'è', nor as the simple unmarked grapheme 'e'. In other European languages, consonants are frequently marked, e.g. in , 'ç', š and 'ñ'. In writing Scandinavian languages, one must distinguish between 'o' and 'ø'. |
| − | The word '''grapheme''' is derived from the [[Greek]] word for 'to write' 'graphein' ( | + | The word '''grapheme''' is derived from the [[Greek]] word for 'to write' 'graphein' (γραφή) and the [[suffix]] '[[-eme]]'. |
[[category:linguistics]] | [[category:linguistics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:46, 11 July 2016
A grapheme is the smallest significant unit in writing. For example, any letter is a grapheme. There are two graphemes for each 'letter of the alphabet' in any literate person's writing of English (and indeed most European languages) the upper case and lower case forms, 'A' and 'a'. In print and handwriting, the lower case of letters such as 'a' and 'g' may be represented in at least two different ways, quite apart from the variations between individuals' different 'hands'.
If we add another grapheme in the form of an accent or diacritic, the significance of the letter changes. So these accents or diacritics are graphemes. For example, 'é' is not the same, in French, as 'è', nor as the simple unmarked grapheme 'e'. In other European languages, consonants are frequently marked, e.g. in , 'ç', š and 'ñ'. In writing Scandinavian languages, one must distinguish between 'o' and 'ø'.
The word grapheme is derived from the Greek word for 'to write' 'graphein' (γραφή) and the suffix '-eme'.
