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6.8 The Initial State

The initial state in a combination rule file is defined as follows:

     initial value, rules rule1, rule2, ...;

The initial state of a combi rule file specifies a feature structure and a list of rules (behind the keyword rules). Each of the rules will be applied to read in the first allomorph (in morphology) or word form (in syntax). The list may be enclosed in parentheses.

A combi rule or an end rule is successful if it creates at least one new state, otherwise it fails. If you want rules to be executed only if all other rules failed, you can put their names behind the other rules' names and write an else in front of them:

     initial value, rules rule1, rule2 else
     rule3, rule4 else ...;

If both rules rule1 and rule2 fail, rule3 and rule4 are executed. If these rules also fail, the next rules are executed, and so on.