Reading is a complex cognitive process that involves decoding and understanding written symbols to extract meaning. In the field of cognitive psychology, different routes or processes that intervene in reading have been identified. One of them is the phonological route, which plays a fundamental role in converting letters into sounds and in integrating these phonetic units to understand words and sentences.
Characteristics of the phonological route
The phonological route, also known as the sublexical route or grapheme-phoneme conversion route, focuses on the direct relationship between written letters and the sounds they represent in oral language . This route is based on the phonetic decoding of words, that is, on the conversion of visual symbols into sound units or phonemes. Unlike the lexical route, which is activated when whole words are recognized by their visual form, the phonological route operates at the level of individual letters and their associated pronunciation.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of the phonological route is its role in reading aloud or deep reading. When an individual reads aloud, the phonological route is activated more intensely to be able to correctly pronounce words based on their phonetic components. This is especially relevant in the initial reading learning process, where children often resort to the phonological route to decipher unknown or unfamiliar words.
Sequential processing and phonic rules
The phonological route operates sequentially, that is, it decodes each letter of a word to construct its total pronunciation. This process involves following phonic rules that establish the correspondence between graphemes (letters) and phonemes (sounds) in the reading language. For example, in Spanish, the letter "a" is pronounced differently than the letter "e", and these phonetic distinctions are essential for the correct pronunciation of words.
In addition, The phonological route is also activated in the reading of pseudowords or invented words that follow the grapheme-phoneme correspondence rules of the language. When faced with words without a lexical meaning, the reader must resort to the phonological route to pronounce them based on their phonetic structure. This process shows the importance of the phonological route in the decoding of new or uncommon words in an individual's vocabulary.
Function of the phonological route in reading
The phonological route It plays several key functions in the reading process, both in the initial stage of learning and in expert and fluent reading. Below are some of the ways in which this route operates to facilitate the decoding and understanding of texts:
Decoding and pronouncing words
One of the main roles of the route Phonology is decoding the letters of a word and transforming them into sounds that can be pronounced. This process allows the reader to recognize and pronounce written words, even if they have not seen them before. When pronouncing the words out loud, a circuit is activated that involves brain areas related to speech and articulation, which contributes to reinforcing the phonological route in reading.
Support in the identification of unknown words
When a reader encounters a new or unknown word, the phonological pathway plays a crucial role in decoding that word. By dividing the word into its phonetic components and applying the rules of grapheme-phoneme correspondence, the phonological route allows the reader to pronounce the word approximately and infer its possible meaning from the context in which it appears. This process is essential to expand vocabulary and improve reading fluency.
Phonological awareness training
The development of phonological awareness, that is, the ability to identify and manipulate sounds of language, is closely related to the effectiveness of the phonological route in reading. Phonological awareness training programs, especially at early ages, have been shown to benefit children's ability to decode words and understand written texts. By improving the connection between letters and sounds, the phonological route is strengthened and the reading learning process is facilitated.
Importance of the phonological route in reading
The phonological route plays a role fundamental role in the learning and execution of reading, since it allows the efficient conversion of letters into sounds and the integration of these elements to build the meaning of the words. Its activation is crucial in situations of decoding new words, confronting complex texts and improving reading fluency in general.
In addition, the phonological route is considered essential in the initial literacy process, where learners They need to master basic phonetic decoding skills to enter the world of reading and writing. By understanding the characteristics and functioning of the phonological pathway, educators and psychologists can design effective strategies to support the development of this pathway and improve individuals' reading skills.
In summary, the phonological pathway constitutes a key component in reading processing, allowing the accurate conversion of letters into sounds and contributing to the comprehension of written texts. Its activation and strengthening are essential for the development of solid reading skills and for promoting effective literacy in individuals of all ages.