Transforming Spontaneous Telegraphic Language to Well-Formed Greek Sentences for Alternative and Augmentative Communication

The domain of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) studies appropriate techniques and systems that enhance or accomplish the retaining or non-existing abilities for interpersonal communication. Some AAC users apply telegraphic language, as they attempt to speed up the interactive communication or because they are language impaired. In many AAC aids, a "sentence" is formulated by combining symbols of an icon-based communication system. To be accepted by the communication partner, the output should be a correct oral sentence of a natural language. In this paper we present our effort to develop a novel technique for expanding spontaneous telegraphic input to well-formed Greek sentences, by adopting a feature-based surface realization for Natural Language generation. We first describe the general architecture of the system that accepts compressed, incomplete, grammatically and syntactically ill-formed text and produces a correct full sentence. The NLP techniques of the two main modules, named preprocessor and translator/ generator, are then analyzed. A prototype system has been developed using Component Based Technology (CBT) which is under field evaluation by a number of speech-disabled users. Currently it supports fully the BLISS and MAKATON icon based communication systems. Some limitations of the module are also discussed along with possibilities for future expansions.