"silent letter" 的定义和意义

What is a "silent letter"?

A silent letter is a letter in a word that is written but not pronounced when speaking. These letters can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. For example, in the word "knife," the "k" is silent, so the word is pronounced as "nife." Another example is "island," where the "s" is not spoken. Silent letters are important in spelling because they can change the meaning of words or indicate their origins, helping to maintain the history and structure of the language. Understanding silent letters is essential for accurate pronunciation and reading.