Computers can make the "judgement" the same way people do. By using a lookup table. We are told, "I before E except after C." Great got it. It's a rule much like a computer algorithm. "Oh, and in a list of exceptions as long as your arm." Whoa, now I need to memorize the exceptions if I want to pass that spelling bee! Time for a lookup table stored in the memory of my mind.
Bob On Dec 31, 2012, at 7:16 AM, Richmond wrote: > On 12/31/2012 03:51 PM, Mike Bonner wrote: >> http://www.howmanysyllables.com/howtocountsyllables.html A starting point >> for syllable counting perhaps. > > Certainly a start . . . > > But how a computer would: > > "Usually divide before a single consonant. > o/pen, i/tem, e/vil, re/port. > The only exceptions are those times when the first syllable has an obvious > short sound, as in "cab/in"." > > be able to work out when a vowel is pronounced as "an obvious short sound" or > not escapes me. > > The "problem" about all languages is that they are never written phonetically > (with the possible exception of > language written in the IPA, which bravely attempts to represent each sound > with a single symbol - of course > once one gets into supra-segmentalism one is in a hell only enjoyed by really > 'kinky' linguists) and, as such, > a computer cannot do that sort of thing as it is incapable of making a > subjective judgement call . . . > > . . . arguably what will always prevent computers being able to imitate human > reasoning completely is > just that; a computer cannot ascribe subjective value (good, bad) to > something. > > It would be interesting to know how the Java mages worked out how to count > syllables, and how accurate that is. > >> >> >> On Mon, Dec 31, 2012 at 5:16 AM, Richmond <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> Here's a whole new can of worms: >>> >>> http://www.editcentral.com/**gwt1/EditCentral.html<http://www.editcentral.com/gwt1/EditCentral.html> >>> >>> "wordCount is the number of words in the text. >>> sentenceCount is the number of sentences in the text. >>> syllableCount is the number of syllables in the text. >>> letterNumberCount is the number of letters and numbers in the text. >>> complexCount is the number of words of three or more syllables in the >>> text." >>> >>> the necessary formula for all the different readibility methods are given, >>> in Java, on the webpage, >>> but they presuppose wordCount, snetenceCount and so on. >>> >>> Now, while one can effect a wordCount with no problem at all in Livecode, >>> >>> and one can effect a sentenceCount by looking at strings ending in . ! ? >>> >>> and one can effect letterCount. >>> >>> I am completely unsure how one would manage a syllableCount. >>> >>> Something to chew over as we go into the New Year! >>> >>> Richmond. >>> >>> ______________________________**_________________ >>> use-livecode mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your >>> subscription preferences: >>> http://lists.runrev.com/**mailman/listinfo/use-livecode<http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> use-livecode mailing list >> [email protected] >> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription >> preferences: >> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode > > > _______________________________________________ > use-livecode mailing list > [email protected] > Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription > preferences: > http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode _______________________________________________ use-livecode mailing list [email protected] Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences: http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode
