define Vowel [a|e|i|o|u];
define Glide [w|y];
define Nucleus (Glide) (Vowel) [[Vowel (Glide)] | y];This script divides English words into syllables.
Since English phonology and ortography are so separated, for a phonological hyphenator the actual pronunciation would be needed. This is an ortographical hyphenator, with the caveat that for a true ortographical hyphenator etymology and morpheme boundaries would actually be necessary.
Vowels form the nucleus of syllables, with optional glides before and after.
define Vowel [a|e|i|o|u];
define Glide [w|y];
define Nucleus (Glide) (Vowel) [[Vowel (Glide)] | y];Consonants can be ordered in a “sonority” scale, which tells us what consonants can precede others in the syllable onset and coda.
define Stop [b|c|d|g|j|k|p|q|t|x];
define Fricative [f|h|s|v|z|{sh}];
define Nasal [m|n];
define Liquid [l|r];In English, the onset (start) and coda (end) of the syllable are not exactly symmetrical, especially because some combinations are not allowed.
define Onset [(Stop) (Fricative) (Nasal | Liquid)] | {wh};
define Coda (Liquid) (Nasal) (Fricative) (Stop) (s);First, the syllable nucleus must be found, with a longest match approach since
we want to allow dipthongs. When we find the nucleus, we mark it with NUC to
both sides. Then syllables, defined as onset + nucleus + coda are found.
Two steps are needed because syllable matching is now shortest match. This encodes the Maximal Onset principle (actually, the equivalent Minimal Coda one).
Hyphens are inserted after each syllable, provided it is followed by a valid syllable as context.
define Syllable Onset NUC ?+ NUC Coda;
regex Nucleus @-> NUC ... NUC
.o. Syllable @> ... "-" || _ Syllable
.o. NUC -> 0; # Cleanup