Which term refers to the tokens such as letters and punctuation that make up language?

Which term refers to the tokens such as letters and punctuation that make up language?

• A. Tokens
• B. Morphemes
• C. Phonemes
• D. Graphemes

Answer: (A)

Written symbols that appear in text—the letters and punctuation you see on the page—are graphemes. Graphemes are the smallest units of a writing system that convey written form, and they can include individual letters as well as punctuation marks. They map to sounds in spoken language (phonemes) in many cases, but they’re defined by their role as written symbols rather than by meaning or sound alone. Morphemes, on the other hand, are about meaning (like the smallest units of lexical or grammatical meaning), and phonemes are the distinct sounds of speech. Since the question focuses on the actual symbols that construct written language, graphemes is the most precise term. For example, the characters that spell a word and the punctuation that punctuates sentences are graphemes.

Written symbols that appear in text—the letters and punctuation you see on the page—are graphemes. Graphemes are the smallest units of a writing system that convey written form, and they can include individual letters as well as punctuation marks. They map to sounds in spoken language (phonemes) in many cases, but they’re defined by their role as written symbols rather than by meaning or sound alone. Morphemes, on the other hand, are about meaning (like the smallest units of lexical or grammatical meaning), and phonemes are the distinct sounds of speech. Since the question focuses on the actual symbols that construct written language, graphemes is the most precise term. For example, the characters that spell a word and the punctuation that punctuates sentences are graphemes.