Final answer:
Phonemes are 'blended' together in words, which can make it hard to separate individual sounds. This blending is a normal part of speech and contributes to the fluidity of language use. The correct answer to fill in the blank is 'blended' (Option C).
Step-by-step explanation:
Phonemes are coarticulated or blended together in words; this means that in the flow of speech, sounds blend into one another and are often difficult to separate. When speaking, our mouths move smoothly from one phoneme to the next, rather than making a series of disconnected sounds. This process can make it challenging to distinguish the individual phonemes, especially for those who are learning the language or working on their phonemic awareness.
Understanding the structure of language, including the role of phonemes, morphemes, semantics, and syntax, is crucial for mastering a language. Phonemes, as the smallest units of sound, come together to form morphemes, which carry meaning, and these morphemes are then arranged according to the rules of syntax to create sentences. Semantics, on the other hand, is concerned with the meaning that emerges from these constructions.