Readability testing

[Robert Sneidar]

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 <richmondmathewson at gmail.com>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.
>>> 
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