What is the primary purpose of decoding?

Decoding primarily refers to the ability to interpret and pronounce written words correctly. It involves translating the letters and symbols of written language into their corresponding sounds, enabling readers to articulate words as they read. This skill is fundamental in the early stages of literacy development, allowing students to move toward fluency in reading. While understanding meaning, summarizing texts, or analyzing text structure are all important aspects of reading, they typically come after the ability to decode words. Therefore, the primary goal of decoding is to ensure that printed words are pronounced accurately, laying the foundation for deeper comprehension and analysis later on.