Phonetic search is a procedure, which is used in connection with search machines. If a search machine contains a software module for a phonetic search, then it means for the user that he does not have to adhere when typing the letters to the posting, which is given by the dictionary. The search machine will be capable of recognizing incorrect inputs and of suggesting alternative postings.

When example of a search machine, which offers a phonetic search, one can consult Google. With Google to an entered search word if no convincing number at web pages is found, then the user gets a text line indicated, those with "“meant you: "…"” begins. Behind "“they meant: "…"” follows a search word, which Google suggests as alternative.

If it gave zero hit to a search word, then it can also mean with Google: "“Your original search word"… was written wrongly and resulted in 0 results. Instead the corrected search word was used"… and led to the results listed down"”

Of a "“phonetic"” search one speaks, because the program, which determines the alternative proposals in the background, is aligned to find expressions which are differently written, in the final result however nevertheless directly or similarly to be expressed. One can expect from a program of this kind thus that it offers rhythm"” with a search for "“Ritmus"” as alternative to "“and/or includes on its part the expression "“rhythm"” also into the search. With a search for "“Meyer"” also "“Mayer"” should be included with and with a search for "“opera living also "“upper living"”.

Generally a phonetic search of realizations uses those exclusively for a certain language applies. Who enters therefore a search word first in German and then in a Spanish search machine, by the phonetic search to different one will lead in each case.

Strategies for the phonetic search

Software modules, which are responsible for phonetic search, can pursue different strategies. One of the strategies consists of it that realizations from phonetics and phonology are consulted, in order to determine a phonetic ("“klangliche"”) representation of a word. In order to find a phonetic representation, the words are divided into phonemes. Depending upon like "“in a diffuse way"” the search to be is to become, thereby similar sounds in summary.

In the simplest case the phonetic representation of the search word is then only compared with the phonetic representations of the word quantity which can be scanned. In this way "“Maier"” and "“Mayr"” can be found, if for "“Meier"” one searched.

One can permit with the search also that replaces one or more sounds, added or to be omitted to be able. Can be worked with the same procedures as for example to the correction of typing errors, with the Levenshtein distance. Thus then for example "“house"” fits "“mouse"”, "“freshly"” "“fish"”, etc.

See also

• Stemming
• Pattern Matching
• Fuzzy search

Related links

• http://de3.php.net/manual/de/function.soundex.php
• http://de3.php.net/manual/de/function.metaphone.php

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