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, 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'. | 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, 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 central European languages, consonants are frequently marked, e.g. in 'è', 'ç' and 'æ'. In writing Scandinavian languages, one must distinguish between 'o' and 'ø'. | + | 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 central European languages, consonants are frequently marked, e.g. in 'è', 'ç' and 'æ'. In writing Scandinavian languages, one must distinguish between 'o' and 'ø'. |
The word '''grapheme''' is derived from the [[Greek]] word for 'to write' 'graphein' (γασöκει) and the [[suffix]] '[[-eme]]'. | The word '''grapheme''' is derived from the [[Greek]] word for 'to write' 'graphein' (γασöκει) and the [[suffix]] '[[-eme]]'. | ||
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Revision as of 14:05, 21 August 2007
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, 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 central European languages, consonants are frequently marked, e.g. in 'è', 'ç' and 'æ'. In writing Scandinavian languages, one must distinguish between 'o' and 'ø'.
The word grapheme is derived from the Greek word for 'to write' 'graphein' (γασöκει) and the suffix '-eme'.
