---
phase: 06-english-linguistic-engine
plan: 01
subsystem: linguistic-verification
tags: [english, syllables, IPA, stress-analysis, phonology, suno]

# Dependency graph
requires:
  - phase: 01-foundation
    provides: "English syllables.md foundation (101 lines, basic rules)"
  - phase: 05-french-linguistic-engine
    provides: "Structural patterns (6-step procedure, SI/ALORS format, lookup tables, validation tests)"
provides:
  - "Complete English syllable verification reference (317 lines, status: complete)"
  - "6-step verification procedure with stress analysis"
  - "32-entry ambiguous-word lookup table with IPA"
  - "28-entry contraction reference table"
  - "3-way -ed ending decision table"
  - "14-entry heteronym notes for Suno"
  - "5 known-answer validation tests"
affects: [06-02-english-rhyme-verification, track-production-english]

# Tech tracking
tech-stack:
  added: []
  patterns: [stress-beat-alignment-as-primary-metric, genre-dependent-syllable-counting, heteronym-disambiguation-for-suno]

key-files:
  created: []
  modified: [reference/linguistic/english/syllables.md]

key-decisions:
  - "Stress analysis formalized as mandatory steps (Etape 3 + Etape 4), not optional -- English is stress-timed not syllable-timed"
  - "Ambiguous-word table organized by phonetic category (diphtongue+r, schwa-elided, 3-or-4-syllable) rather than alphabetical"
  - "Genre override rules: rap = short form default, ballad = long form default, pop = singability-driven"
  - "Heteronym notes integrated into syllables.md rather than separate pronunciation.md for English"
  - "Test 5 includes deliberate self-correction pattern to model the procedure catching its own error"

patterns-established:
  - "First-usage rule: ambiguous word count set by first occurrence in track"
  - "Contraction table as separate section from ambiguous words for clarity"
  - "Validation tests cover both single-answer and genre-dependent dual-answer formats"

# Metrics
duration: 6min
completed: 2026-04-10
---

# Phase 6 Plan 01: English Syllable Verification Summary

**Complete English syllable verification reference with 6-step stress-aware procedure, 32-entry ambiguous-word table, -ed decision table, contraction table, heteronym notes, and 5 validation tests**

## Performance

- **Duration:** 6 min
- **Started:** 2026-04-10T21:53:53Z
- **Completed:** 2026-04-10T22:00:51Z
- **Tasks:** 1
- **Files modified:** 1

## Accomplishments
- Extended syllables.md from 101 lines (foundation) to 317 lines (complete)
- Formalized 6-step verification procedure with stress analysis as mandatory steps 3-4
- Created comprehensive lookup tables: 32 ambiguous words with IPA, 28 contractions, 14 heteronyms
- Added 3-way -ed ending decision table with IPA for all categories
- 5 validation tests covering -ed rules, ambiguous words, stress alignment, genre-dependent counting, and contractions

## Task Commits

Each task was committed atomically:

1. **Task 1: Extend syllables.md with formalized verification procedure, ambiguous-word table, and heteronym notes** - `4e55cfa` (feat)

## Files Created/Modified
- `reference/linguistic/english/syllables.md` - Complete English syllable counting reference with verification procedure, lookup tables, and validation tests

## Decisions Made
- Stress analysis formalized as mandatory steps (Etape 3 + Etape 4) -- English is stress-timed, so stress-beat alignment matters more than raw syllable count
- Ambiguous-word table organized by phonetic category (diphtongue+r, schwa-elided, 3-or-4-syllable) for faster lookup during verification
- Genre override rules codified: rap = short form, ballad = long form, pop = singability-driven
- Heteronym notes kept inside syllables.md rather than creating separate English pronunciation.md (Suno handles English natively)
- Test 5 demonstrates self-correction pattern to model how the procedure catches counting errors

## Deviations from Plan

None - plan executed exactly as written.

## Issues Encountered

None.

## User Setup Required

None - no external service configuration required.

## Next Phase Readiness
- English syllable verification reference is complete and ready for use in track production
- Plan 06-02 (English rhyme verification) can proceed -- rhymes.md cross-reference already in place
- Heteronym notes cover Suno-specific disambiguation without needing separate pronunciation.md

---
*Phase: 06-english-linguistic-engine*
*Completed: 2026-04-10*
