What do segmental features of speech refer to?

Segmental features of speech specifically refer to the individual phoneme units that make up spoken language. These features focus on the distinct sounds that combine to form words and syllables, which are critical in distinguishing meaning and pronunciation in speech. Each phoneme represents a unique sound that can change the meaning of a word if altered. Understanding segmental features is vital in fields like speech science and linguistics, as they provide insight into how speech sounds are produced, perceived, and organized.

In contrast, overall sentence structure encompasses the grammatical organization of entire sentences. The emotional context of speech relates to the tone and nuance beyond the mere phonetic sounds, while word choice and syntax pertain to vocabulary selection and grammatical arrangement. These aspects are essential for constructing meaning and expressing ideas but do not pertain to the basic sound units that segmental features address.