1 files changed, 16 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/help-funs.el b/lisp/help-funs.el
index 3aaf58c9052..62049971d3f 100644
--- a/lisp/help-funs.el
+++ b/lisp/help-funs.el
@@ -436,6 +436,22 @@ it is displayed along with the global value."
             (buffer-string)))))))
 
 
+;;;###autoload
+(defun describe-syntax (&optional buffer)
+  (interactive)
+  "Describe the syntax specifications in the syntax table of BUFFER.
+The descriptions are inserted in a help buffer, which is then displayed.
+BUFFER defaults to the current buffer."
+  (setq buffer (or buffer (current-buffer)))
+  (help-setup-xref (list #'describe-syntax buffer) (interactive-p))
+  (with-output-to-temp-buffer (help-buffer)
+    (let ((table (with-current-buffer buffer (syntax-table))))
+      (with-current-buffer standard-output
+        (describe-vector table 'internal-describe-syntax-value)
+        (while (setq table (char-table-parent table))
+          (insert "\nThe parent syntax table is:")
+          (describe-vector table 'internal-describe-syntax-value))))))
+
 (provide 'help-funs)
 
 ;;; help-funs.el ends here