Syllables
The syllable is a “word building block” defined by the structure and grammar of the language, which can be pronounced on its own. It is therefore often used to naturally divide words when learning to read.
Word segment
A word segment is also a pronounceable word module. It often consists of one syllable, but does not have to. The maximum length of a word segment is determined by the number of letters that a reader can recognise at a glance. This is therefore an individual value.
Examples:
Person A can recognise 4 letters at a glance, person B can recognise 6 letters at once.
Example 1:
Word consisting of 2 short syllables
The word “segment” is read by person A: seg-ment, i.e. in 2 segments, which also correspond to the syllables. Person B reads “segment” all at once, so the segment here consists of 2 syllables.
Example 2:
Word from a long syllable
The word “sound” is read by person A: sou-nd, i.e. in 2 segments. The syllable is therefore divided into 2 speakable units in order to fulfil the fixed condition “no more than 4 letters at a time”.
Important:
In English, a syllable can often only be pronounced correctly once it has been read completely. This special feature of English languages is taken into account in the software with a optional “focus frame”.
Person B can already read as a whole and does not have to divide the syllable.