Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S15402/01
Title:	Facilitating language play in non-speaking children through computer-supported joke construction
Principal Investigator:	Ritchie, Dr GD
Other Investigators:	Pain, Professor H
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Informatics
Organisation:	University of Edinburgh
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2003	Ends:	31 March 2007	Value (£):	182,937
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Human-Computer Interactions
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Creative Industries Information Technologies Education
Related Grants:	GR/S15419/01
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 05 Nov 2002 People & Interactivity Panel (Technology) - Nov 02 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
There is evidence that language play, including using puns and other jokes, has a beneficial effect on a child's developing language and communication skills. Children with communication impairments are often reliant on augmented communication aids in order to carry on conversations, but these aids give little scope for generating novel language. This inhibits experimentation with language and limits the trying out of humorous ideas, which can in turn have a stultifying effect on the child's language development. We propose to address this deficiency in the language environment of the non-speaking child, by providing a software tool which promotes humorous language play. Starting from our previous work on the automated generation of punning riddles, we will design and implement a program which allows the user to experiment with the construction of simple jokes. The user interface of this system will be specially designed to be accessible to children with communication and physical disabilities. We will then test the efficacy of the system by observing and evaluating the use that our target population of children make of the software.
Key Findings
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