What is the term for the awareness of speech sounds or phonemes in words?

The term that specifically refers to the awareness of speech sounds or phonemes in words is phonemic awareness. This concept focuses on the understanding that words are made up of individual sounds or phonemes, which can be manipulated, blended, and segmented. Phonemic awareness is a crucial skill for developing reading and writing, as it enables learners to decode and encode words by recognizing and using these sound units.

While phonological awareness is also related, it encompasses a broader range of sound awareness, including the recognition of larger sound units such as syllables and onsets and rimes, rather than focusing solely on individual phonemes. Orthographic awareness relates to the understanding of letter patterns and the visualization of words, while lexical awareness pertains to an understanding of word meanings and the relationships between words. Each of these concepts plays a role in language development, but phonemic awareness specifically zeroes in on the basic sound units that form the foundation for syllables and words.