IPA syllable breaks

When using IPA, I am aware that <.> (full stop) represents a syllable break.

However, I have also read that a <-> (hyphen) can also be used? Is this correct? If so, is it simply a matter of personal preference, or is one considered better or more appropriate than the other? Also, what kind of hyphen is it (is it an em dash, regular hypen, etc?)

Thanks for your help!

Solution 1:

The hyphen is not part of the officially defined IPA, so it's not "correct" IPA if by that you mean "in accordance with the official IPA chart and handbook".

The IPA shares symbols with many other transcription systems; e.g. "Americanist" phonetic transcription, which uses signs like š and č, as well as a host of dictionary-specific transcription systems. Any particular publication's choice of transcription system is largely a matter of personal preference.

As Jason Bassford said, dashes are not a type of hyphen. I've never seen dashes used to separate syllables.