It is possible to specify optional items in a rule. This is done by following the optional item with a question mark. For instance, if we say that the intervening X in the rule from Unit 16 is optional, our rule looks like this:
gA gB > @3 @1 / _ gX? _;
Notice that the indexing of elements must take into account all optional items; hence gB is considered item #3 in the above rule.
Optional markers can be placed either in the left-hand side or the context, but not in the right-hand side.
Ranges of items can be marked optional by using square brackets:
gA gB > @3 @1 / _ [gX gY gZ]? _;
Note that in the rule above, the entire sequence ‘X Y Z’ must occur or none of it is allowed. You can also embed sequences of optional items. In the following rule, X may occur zero to three times:
gA gB > @3 @1 / _ [gX [gX gX? ]? ]? _;
Extend your program from Exercise 16 to handle the presence of a consonant cluster before the vowel to be moved; i.e., allow one or two optional consonants between the initial consonant and the vowel.
Hint: instead of switching items, you may need to delete the vowel and reinsert it.
Compare the rules listed in the dbg_ruleprec.txt file with your source code.
Copyright © 2012 SIL International® and released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license (CC-BY-SA) unless noted otherwise.