#The phoneme as a linguistic unit. Its definition and functions.
It has 3 main functions: 1. Distinguish function - phoneme distinguish morphemes, words and utterances. 2. Constitutive function – phoneme realised in speech in the form of speech sounds, its allophones. The phonemes constitute the material form of morphemes. 3. Recognitive function - the use of the right allophones and other phonetic units helps normal recognition.