What is decoding?

• A. The process of using knowledge of letter-sound relationships to translate written symbols into spoken language and recognize words
• B. The process of spelling words aloud
• C. The process of identifying parts of speech
• D. The process of handwriting practice

Answer: (A)

Decoding is the ability to translate written text into spoken language by applying knowledge of letter-sound relationships. When you see a word, you map each letter or letter pattern to its sounds and blend those sounds together to pronounce the word and recognize it. This foundational skill relies on phonemic awareness and phonics and helps readers sound out unfamiliar words and read more fluently as they gain sight word recognition. Spelling words aloud involves producing written language from sounds (encoding), identifying parts of speech is about grammar and word function, and handwriting practice focuses on forming letters, not translating them into sounds.