Oral language-play for speech impaired

Researchers at the Universities of Dundee, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh in Scotland have developed experimental pun-generating software for children who use computerized assistance to communicate. It’s called System to Augment Non-speakers Dialogue Using Puns (STANDUP).

Kudos to the researchers for recognizing the importance of language play in language development. Just as infants play with sounds and toddlers play with words, older children play with humor and the meanings of words. Dr. Annalu Waller also points out that the children get to be in charge of conversations, and “it gives them the ability to entertain other people. And their self-image improves too.”

Dr. David O’Mara’s related 2004 doctoral thesis: “Providing Access to Verbal Humour Play for Children with Severe Communication Impairment” (the page links to PDFs) (www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/staff/domara/home.asp) [EDIT (5/15/10): dead link]

In addition, at the University of Sussex, England, researchers are using computer-generated pun riddles to help children who can speak but have difficulty with reading comprehension: Riddles project. Becoming aware of the dual meanings of punned words seems to help with overall reading comprehension.