What characterizes literal (phonemic) paraphasia?

Literal (phonemic) paraphasia is characterized by the mixing up of speech sounds within words. This type of paraphasia occurs when an individual alters the phonemes of a word, leading to errors at the level of sound representation. For example, a person might say "bock" instead of "sock" or "pasket" instead of "basket." This reflects a disruption in the phonological processing and can often be observed in individuals with conditions such as aphasia, where language production is affected.

The focus on the sounds rather than the meaning differentiates this type of paraphasia from other forms. While other options may involve word substitutions or the creation of new words or phrases, they do not specifically capture the essence of literal paraphasia, which is fundamentally about the phonemic errors that occur during speech. Understanding this characteristic helps in diagnosing and treating language impairments effectively.