phonemic inventory

A phonemic inventory refers to the set of distinct sounds, called phonemes, that a language uses to differentiate meaning between words. These sounds are not physical objects but mental categories that help speakers distinguish words like "bat" and "pat." Each language has its unique collection of phonemes, which includes vowels and consonants. Understanding a language's phonemic inventory helps in studying pronunciation, speech patterns, and language learning, as it highlights which sounds are essential for meaningful communication within that language.