Finite-State Technology in a Verse-Making Tool

This paper presents a set of tools designed to assist traditional Basque verse writers during the composition process. In this article we are going to focus on the parts that have been created using finite-state technology: this includes tools such as syllable counters, rhyme checkers and a rhyme search utility. 1 The BAD tool and the Basque singing tradition The BAD tool is an assistant tool for verse-makers in the Basque bertsolari tradition. This is a form of improvised verse composition and singing where participants are asked to produce impromptu compositions around themes which are given to them following one of many alternative verse formats. The variety of verse schemata that exist all impose fairly strict structural requirements on the composer. Verses in the bertsolari tradition must consist of a specified number of lines, each with a fixed number of syllables. Also, strict rhyme patterns must be followed. The structural requirements are considered the most difficult element in the bertsolaritza—however, well-trained bertsolaris can usually produce verses that fulfill the structural prerequisites in a very limited time. The BAD tool presented here is mainly directed at those with less experience in the tradition such as students. One particular target group are the bertso-eskola-s (verse-making schools) that have been growing in popularity—these are schools found throughout the Basque Country that train young people in the art of bertsolaritza. The primary functionality of the tool is illustrated in figure 1 which shows the main view of the utility. The user is offered a form in which a verse can be written, after which the system checks the technical correctness of the poem. To perform this task, several finite state transducer-based modules, are used, some of them involving the metrics (syllable counter) of the verse, and others the rhyme (rhyme searcher and checker). The tool has support for 150 well known verse meters. In the following sections, we will outline the technology used in each of the parts in the system.