What does the term "grapheme" refer to?

The term "grapheme" refers specifically to a letter or a group of letters that represent a sound in written language. This definition encompasses both single letters, such as “a” or “t,” as well as combinations of letters that correspond to one sound, such as “sh” in “ship” or “th” in “that.” Understanding graphemes is crucial in literacy as it connects written symbols to their phonetic counterparts, aiding in the decoding and spelling of words. This foundational knowledge is essential for developing reading and writing skills, as it highlights the relationship between letters and sounds in language.