Which term refers to differentiating speech sounds that change meaning, such as /p/ and /b/?

The term that describes the ability to differentiate speech sounds that result in meaning changes, such as /p/ and /b/, is phoneme discrimination. This skill is essential in speech-language pathology because it involves recognizing the distinct sounds that can alter the meaning of words in a language. For example, the difference between the words "pat" and "bat" is solely based on the initial phonemes /p/ and /b/. Phoneme discrimination enables individuals to identify and produce the correct sounds that lead to accurate communication.

Understanding phoneme discrimination is crucial for addressing various speech and language disorders, particularly in developing literacy skills and improving articulation. Good phoneme discrimination skills contribute to effective communication and comprehension, making this concept fundamental in the field of speech-language pathology.

Other terms might describe different auditory or cognitive processes, but they do not directly focus on the ability to distinguish between phonemes that carry distinct meanings.