silent letter
[/ˈsaɪlənt ˈlɛtər/]
nounpl: silent letters
letra muda
1. A letter in a word that is not pronounced or does not contribute to the word's sound
The 'k' in 'knife' is a silent letter.
O 'k' em 'knife' é uma letra muda.
2. A character in written language that exists in spelling but produces no audible sound when the word is spoken
In English, many words contain silent letters that confuse learners.
Em inglês, muitas palavras contêm letras mudas que confundem os aprendizes.
Silent letters are particularly important in English language education, both in Brazil and the USA, as English spelling is notoriously irregular. Words like 'psychology', 'island', 'receipt', and 'debt' are frequently cited examples. Understanding silent letters is crucial for spelling correctly in English, making this a common topic in ESL/EFL classrooms. In Portuguese, while silent letters are less prevalent, the concept helps learners understand English orthography challenges.
Related Idioms & Phrases
it goes without saying (similar concept of something understood but not explicitly stated)
the silent treatment (unrelated idiom using 'silent' but not referring to letters)
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