Language
Language Representation Methods.
The three most common language representation methods used in Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) are:
Single-Meaning Pictures
These include Rebus, PCS, some Minspeak symbols and about 20 other symbol sets.
Each picture represents one word, i.e. 
Whilst this approach is popular, easy to understand and works well for some types of word (e.g. nouns), many of the words we use most frequently are not easily represented by a universally recognized picture. For example, try to draw a picture of 'he', 'she', 'it', 'the', 'anyone' or 'his' - and remember that 'his' must be a different picture to the one you used for 'he', 'him' or 'himself'! As a person's vocabulary grows this approach forces them to navigate through thousands of pictures, on perhaps hundreds of pages, which can restrict vocabulary development and their ability to communicate spontaneously.
All Liberator's communication aids are capable of handling a choice of symbols, enabling you to build and link pages for communication. Taking this a step further, Picture WordPower provides a structured vocabulary programme for Vanguard, Vantage, Liberator 14 and Pathfinder communication aids. With this programme, some of the highest frequency words are placed on the home page and accessed with a single keystroke, other words being stored in pages.
Semantic Compaction (or Minspeak)
Semantic Compaction (or Minspeak) was developed by Bruce Baker in 1980, and is used by around 80,000 people worldwide. Minspeak uses multi-meaning icons, linked together in short sequences to form words, phrases, and sentences.
Communication rate, measured in words per minute, can be up to 6 times faster than spelling-based AAC language systems; and whilst you do not need to be able to read or spell to use Minspeak, many people do acquire literacy skills as their communication develops
Popular Minspeak Application Programmes (MAPs), such as Unity is used by people of all ages and abilities: from starter and intermediate MAPs (usually with 15 or 45 symbols, but sometimes less) to a full 144 key language system designed for truly independent communication. Word-based programmes, such as WordCore, also use Minspeak principles.
Every Minspeak programme features:
- multi-meaning icons, linked together in short sequences to form words, phrases and sentences
- static keyboard, with stable icon locations to aid motor planning - as automaticity develops Minspeak can become a little like touch typing
- consistency - which also reinforces motor planning and speed of accessing vocabulary, e.g. in LLL the most important vocabulary is accessed in 2 keystrokes (and in Discovery over 95% of the top 600 words) and virtually all the rest in 3 keystrokes, by selecting first the Category icon then the Word icon - this compares very favourably with page based systems with variable length sequences of 1-5 keystrokes
- activities and pages for topic specific vocabulary, and with more than 9,000 Clarity Symbols and optional PCS symbols you have many opportunities for customisation
The evidence for Minspeak quite literally speaks for itself!
Thousands of people, empowered to say what they want to say as quickly as possible - people who are able to converse with their friends and family, participate in education and employment.
To find out how Minspeak works, please visit the following sites:
Minspeak's success continues to be the subject of many academic papers and independent research studies. Additional information can be found at:
Ongoing investment in Minspeak focuses on developing the range of MAPs, expanding teaching and clinical support, and training for family members, speech and language therapists, teachers and other support staff. Minspeak has been translated into German, French, Spanish, Dutch and many other languages.
Spelling / Word-based Programmes
Typically incorporating a QWERTY keyboard with word prediction and, sometimes, whole word selection.
WordCore (extract shown here) is a powerful communication programme that combines whole-word selection with a choice of spelling keyboards and word prediction.
Literacy is required to use this programme, and a larger number of keystrokes will be needed than with Semantic Compaction to generate independent communication.