+ Each buffer has its own major mode, and each major mode has its own
+idea of the syntax class of various characters. For example, in Lisp
+mode, the character @samp{;} begins a comment, but in C mode, it
+terminates a statement. To support these variations, the syntax table
+is local to each buffer. Typically, each major mode has its own
+syntax table, which it installs in all buffers that use that mode.
+For example, the variable @code{emacs-lisp-mode-syntax-table} holds
+the syntax table used by Emacs Lisp mode, and
+@code{c-mode-syntax-table} holds the syntax table used by C mode.
+Changing a major mode's syntax table alters the syntax in all of that
+mode's buffers, as well as in any buffers subsequently put in that
+mode. Occasionally, several similar modes share one syntax table.
+@xref{Example Major Modes}, for an example of how to set up a syntax
+table.
+
+@cindex standard syntax table
+@cindex inheritance, syntax table
+ A syntax table can @dfn{inherit} from another syntax table, which is
+called its @dfn{parent syntax table}. A syntax table can leave the
+syntax class of some characters unspecified, by giving them the
+``inherit'' syntax class; such a character then acquires the syntax
+class specified by the parent syntax table (@pxref{Syntax Class
+Table}). Emacs defines a @dfn{standard syntax table}, which is the
+default parent syntax table, and is also the syntax table used by
+Fundamental mode.
+
+@defun standard-syntax-table
+This function returns the standard syntax table, which is the syntax
+table used in Fundamental mode.
+@end defun
+
+ Syntax tables are not used by the Emacs Lisp reader, which has its
+own built-in syntactic rules which cannot be changed. (Some Lisp
+systems provide ways to redefine the read syntax, but we decided to
+leave this feature out of Emacs Lisp for simplicity.)
+