Phonemic imagery refers to the processing of thoughts as words rather than as symbols or other images. It is sometimes referred to as the equivalent of inner speech^[1] or covert speech,^{[citation needed]} and sometimes considered as a third phenomenon, separate from but similar to these other forms of internal speech.^{[citation needed]}

Phonemic imagery is a part of the philosophy of consciousness rather than linguistics as it is considered an internal phenomenon of consciousness observed through reflection rather than amenable to empirical observation.