SOUNDEX

If you have read any Oracle SQL Manuals or books you may have come across the SOUNDEX function. The function returns a value based on the phonetic representation of a string you supplied, this can then be used to compare with another word which sounds the same.

Soundex is available in MySQL also and operates in exactly the same way.

mysql> select * from sound_test
       where soundex(word) = soundex('to');
+------+
| word |
+------+
| to   |
| too  |
+------+
2 rows in set (0.00 sec)

However MySQL also offers a much easier way of using and remembering the functionality. All you need to do is use the words sounds like as the comparison to perform the same functionality.

mysql> select * from sound_test 
       where word sounds like 'to';
+------+
| word |
+------+
| to   |
| too  |
+------+
2 rows in set (0.05 sec)