Access to Lexical Knowledge in Modular Interpersonal Communication Aids

(AAC), it is particularly difficult to satisfy the diversity of AAC user requirements because individual user characteristics (e.g., abilities, skills, requirements, and preferences) may vary significantly. In principle, each AAC user may require a communication device specifically tailored to his or her particular needs. Technological advancements have led to the development of a wide variety of communication devices, some of which are configurable by AAC users and/or their facilitators (i.e., persons who assist AAC users to use their devices) and allow some degree of adaptation to individual user requirements. However, at the present time, the majority of available AAC products are designed to provide solutions to specific communication problems of individual AAC users or AAC target groups. This is mainly due to the fact that most inter-personal communication aids do not provide " general purpose " technical solutions that may facilitate user adaptability and flexibility. One very important adaptation issue in communication aids with respect to AAC user requirements is the provision of effective access to the vocabulary. Before initiating use of a device, an AAC user and/or facilitator usually selects vocabulary that is appropriate for the user's needs, communication skills, and language abilities. Once selected, the vocabulary can be organized in an appropriate layout and subsequently updated or modified as necessary according to specific user requirements and preferences. In addition, if the communication aid includes a language training module, a facilitator may also need to prepare , organize, and update related training materials. Then, when communicating, the user must be able to access vocabulary in order to compose messages. Moreover, vocabulary-related information is often needed for system functions such as rate enhancement and abbreviation expansion. AAC constitutes a highly multilingual communication environment because an almost infinite number of vocabulary sets from various orthographic languages or symbol systems can be created or adapted. In the context of this paper, we define as " user language " the combination of a linguistic form (orthographic or symbolic) with a vocabulary set. Given the plethora, variety , and often personalized nature of many user languages , translation facilities (at least at a lexical level) are required in order to enhance the communication possibilities of AAC users with other people. The issue of multilinguality is partially addressed today by a variety of tools available in the market. These tools provide lists of words commonly used in AAC, out of which the facilitator can select …