An open-source rule-based syllabification tool for Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

Background: The automatic syllabification process is an essential prerequisite for speech synthesis systems. However, the task is not trivial, and several techniques have been adopted over the last decade. Furthermore, while there are many public resources for some languages (e.g., English and Japanese), the resources for Brazilian Portuguese (BP) are still limited. This paper discusses ways to diminish this drawback, through the implementation of an open-source syllabification system for BP. Methods: The proposed tool is based on published rule-based algorithms, with some new proposals, especially in the treatment of words with diphthongs and hiatus. Results: Computer experiments were performed on a randomly chosen extract of the CETEN-Folha text corpus, and the results showed the percentage of correctly syllabified words of 99%. Conclusions: A subjective evaluation was also conducted in order to compare the elaborated syllabification algorithm with the reference one within a text-to-speech system for BP. All developed codes and databases are publicly available.

Weight gradience and stress in Portuguese

“…The syllabification algorithm in Portuguese is straightforward and unambiguous, given the restricted number (and quality) of segments in complex onsets and codas (see Thomas 1974 for a comprehensive description and Neto et al 2015 for a computational implementation). A nonce word such as pantridocra , for example, is unambiguously syllabified as /pan.tɾi.do.kɾa/, regardless of stress.…”

Weight effects on stress: lexicon and grammar

“…In Brazilian Portuguese, up to two segments can occupy the onset position (see Fig. The syllabification algorithm in Portuguese is straightforward and unambiguous, given the restricted number (and quality) of segments in complex onsets and codas (see Thomas (1974) for a comprehensive description and Neto et al (2015) for a computational implementation). A nonce word such as pantridocra, for example, is unambiguously syllabified as /pan.tRi.do.kRa/-regardless of stress position.…”

Weight gradience and stress in Portuguese

“…1). The syllabification algorithm in Portuguese is straightforward and unambiguous, given the restricted number (and quality) of segments in complex onsets and codas (see Thomas (1974) for a comprehensive description and Neto et al (2015) for a computational implementation). A nonce word such as pantridocra, for example, is unambiguously syllabified as /pan.tRi.do.kRa/-regardless of stress position.…”