chereme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Linguistic
Quick answer
What does “chereme” mean?
A basic unit in sign language, analogous to a phoneme in spoken language, consisting of a distinctive configuration of hand shape, orientation, location, or movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A basic unit in sign language, analogous to a phoneme in spoken language, consisting of a distinctive configuration of hand shape, orientation, location, or movement.
The minimal structural unit of a sign language that cannot be broken down into smaller, independently meaningful parts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No discernible difference in usage or meaning between UK and US academic/linguistic contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical, academic, and descriptive. No additional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside academic papers, dissertations, or textbooks on sign language linguistics.
Grammar
How to Use “chereme” in a Sentence
The [handshape/location] is a chereme.The sign consists of three cheremes.Cheremes are analogous to phonemes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chereme” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cheremic analysis was groundbreaking.
- They proposed a cheremic inventory.
American English
- The cheremic analysis was groundbreaking.
- They proposed a cheremic inventory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in linguistics, specifically in the study of sign languages and phonological theory.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context; used to describe the sub-lexical structure of signs.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chereme”
- Pronouncing it as /ʃəˈriːm/ or /tʃəˈriːm/.
- Using it to refer to a whole sign instead of its component parts.
- Assuming it is a common English word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised technical term used only in linguistics, specifically in the study of sign languages.
The term was coined by American linguist William C. Stokoe in the 1960s in his work on American Sign Language (ASL).
No, it is exclusively a noun (and its derived adjective 'cheremic'). There is no verb form.
Traditionally, the main classes are handshape (dez), orientation (ori), location (tab), and movement (sig).
A basic unit in sign language, analogous to a phoneme in spoken language, consisting of a distinctive configuration of hand shape, orientation, location, or movement.
Chereme is usually technical / linguistic in register.
Chereme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɛr.ə.miː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɛr.ə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHE'mistry for analysing parts, and 'REME' as in 'reme'mber a sign is built from pieces. Chereme = the chemical elements of a sign.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIGNS ARE CONSTRUCTED OBJECTS (with cheremes as the building blocks).
Practice
Quiz
What is the relationship between a 'chereme' and a 'phoneme'?