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Y as Consonant vs. Y as Vowel
Mar 29, 2012 at 5:17pm
Hey all.
I have written a program that takes sentences in English and translates them to Pig Latin. However, the only thing I cannot figure out is how to write code that determines whether 'y' is being used as a vowel (my) or as a consonant (y). I need to write some kind of rule that translates y differently based on what it is. Any suggestions would be great!
I have written a program that takes sentences in English and translates them to Pig Latin. However, the only thing I cannot figure out is how to write code that determines whether 'y' is being used as a vowel (my) or as a consonant (y). I need to write some kind of rule that translates y differently based on what it is. Any suggestions would be great!
Last edited on Mar 30, 2012 at 2:06pm
Mar 29, 2012 at 5:39pm
Determine what context Y is being used in (compare to immediate surrounding characters) - that's how I would do it. I am unfamiliar with the language though so I can not help you, maybe look up the rules of the language to determine these conditions?
Mar 29, 2012 at 6:34pm
The problem is that y is not always surrounded by particular letters when it is used as a vowel in English, so I'm not really sure how I can define a rule.
Pig Latin with a y would be as the following:
As a consonant, yellow -> ellowyay
As a vowel, style -> ylestay
Pig Latin with a y would be as the following:
As a consonant, yellow -> ellowyay
As a vowel, style -> ylestay
Last edited on Mar 29, 2012 at 6:35pm
Mar 29, 2012 at 6:39pm
I don't know if this is always the case, but 99% of the time, in English, Y as the very first letter in a word is a consonant (yellow) and Y as the very last letter is a vowel (ugly)
Another way to check would be to look at the surrounding letters and see if any of them are vowels. Y next to another vowel = Y is likely a consonant. Y next to only consonants, Y = likely a vowel. The only exception to this rule that I can think of offhand is "eye", where is is surrounded by vowels but is also a vowel.
EDIT: actually... is consonant Y ever not at the start of the word? Maybe it's as simple as start of word = consonant, not start of word = vowel? That seems too simple but I can't immediately think of any words that don't follow that pattern.
EDIT again: derp. No it doesn't work at all. "way", "play", etc are all consonants. Grumble grumble.
Another way to check would be to look at the surrounding letters and see if any of them are vowels. Y next to another vowel = Y is likely a consonant. Y next to only consonants, Y = likely a vowel. The only exception to this rule that I can think of offhand is "eye", where is is surrounded by vowels but is also a vowel.
EDIT: actually... is consonant Y ever not at the start of the word? Maybe it's as simple as start of word = consonant, not start of word = vowel? That seems too simple but I can't immediately think of any words that don't follow that pattern.
EDIT again: derp. No it doesn't work at all. "way", "play", etc are all consonants. Grumble grumble.
Last edited on Mar 29, 2012 at 6:43pm
Mar 29, 2012 at 11:49pm
Gah, the 'y' part is proving more difficult than writing the rest of the code hahaha. Can't figure out any rule that is constant! >.<
Mar 29, 2012 at 11:55pm
the "adjacent to a vowel" rule seems like it might be the way to go. If the Y is next to only consonants, it's a vowel... but if it's next to any vowels, it's a consonant.
The only exception I can think of is still "eye", but it seems to be true for every other word I can think of.
The only exception I can think of is still "eye", but it seems to be true for every other word I can think of.
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:01am
Haha don't you love English? I can't imagine trying to learn this language as a second language
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:04am
But I found this link. Seems to useful, though programming these rules seems like a pain. Best of luck towards to you
http://www.decoz.com/Y_vowel-consonant.htm
http://www.decoz.com/Y_vowel-consonant.htm
Mar 30, 2012 at 2:31am
Can't have Y always as a vowel. What about the word "yellow"? Wouldn't make sense to force it that way.
Mar 30, 2012 at 5:07am
Y as first letter = consonant, otherwise vowel?
That should work as far as pig-latin is concerned
That should work as far as pig-latin is concerned
Mar 30, 2012 at 1:09pm
Always interesting when you find someone with the same teacher posting on here.
Mar 30, 2012 at 2:08pm
I believe I have compiled a code that can determine whether the y is being used as consonant or vowel based on the letters around it. Once I test it, I will come back and post whether it works! :) Thanks for the help/suggestions.
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