Decoding is defined as what?

Decoding is defined as what?

• A. The ability to pronounce the sounds of written words orally and glean meaning
• B. Reading by sight alone
• C. Writing letters from memory
• D. Guessing words from context

Answer: (A)

Decoding is the process of translating printed text into spoken language by using knowledge of how letters and sounds correspond, blending those sounds to pronounce words, and then using that pronunciation to access meaning in the sentence. This is why the description of pronouncing the sounds of written words and gleaning meaning best captures decoding. Reading by sight alone focuses on recognizing words without sounding them out, which isn’t decoding. Writing letters from memory is about spelling, not reading. Guessing words from context relies on clues from the surrounding text rather than decoding the word itself.

Decoding is the process of translating printed text into spoken language by using knowledge of how letters and sounds correspond, blending those sounds to pronounce words, and then using that pronunciation to access meaning in the sentence. This is why the description of pronouncing the sounds of written words and gleaning meaning best captures decoding. Reading by sight alone focuses on recognizing words without sounding them out, which isn’t decoding. Writing letters from memory is about spelling, not reading. Guessing words from context relies on clues from the surrounding text rather than decoding the word itself.