phonological encoding

Phonological encoding is the mental process of converting written or spoken words into their sounds so we can produce or understand speech. When you think of a word, your brain translates its meaning into specific sound patterns—like the sequence of syllables and phonemes (distinct sound units). This process allows you to speak words clearly or recognize spoken words by their sounds. Essentially, phonological encoding bridges the gap between understanding a word's meaning and pronouncing or hearing its correct sounds in communication.