I grew up relatively unaware, as I believe are most American English learners, of the concept of phonemes until I met Kermit W. (Kert) Dees who was then about 87 years old. In our first conversation I learned that he had created his own website and that he needed a helper. I volunteered to be his helper if, in exchange, he would teach me how to write web pages. I soon learned that he knew a great deal about phonemes and almost nothing about web pages. I discovered phonemes late in life and regret that I was not taught phonemes when I was very young. Given the chance, I wish to share this discovery with all who might benefit from it.
