In order to effect the unambiguous identification of particular members of sets of homonyms--homophones or homographs as the case might be--during the automated conversation of written language to spoken language and/or vice versa, additional linguistic information must become available regarding the primary thought-to-physical-manifestation transfer. The homoneme distinguishes among homonyms as does the phoneme among the members of a commutation set. The "existence" of the homoneme is proposed and discussed. Working definitions of certain relevant terms are offered, as well as a statement and demonstration of the problem(s). (Author/AMM)