Three ways to represent language
There are 3 commonly used language representation methods in Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC):
Semantic Compaction (or Minspeak)
Developed by Bruce Baker in 1980, Minspeak is used by more than 80,000 people worldwide and has been shown to be the most effective system for independent, interactive communication. Minspeak combines fast access to 'core' vocabulary (those 400 or so words that make up around 80% of what we say - which are rarely 'picture-producing' nouns) with a large extended vocabulary of topic specific or curriculum based words.
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 (indeed, Liberator has developed teaching resources to help students develop literacy). Popular Minspeak Application Programmes (MAPs) include: Unity; Language, Learning & Living (LLL); and the phenomenal new Discovery.
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
Minspeak is used by people of all ages and abilities: from our emergent communicator programme "Teach & Talk" (which is linked to P leves at P2(2) to P5), through intermediate programmes (usually with 15 or 45 symbols, but sometimes less) to a full 144 key language system designed for truly independent communication and learning. Word-based programmes, such as WordCore, also use Minspeak principles.
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. For more information about Minspeak, please call us on 0845 226 1144 or visit the following partner websites:
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.
Single-Meaning Pictures
These include Clarity Symbols (the world's largest symbol set for communication and learning), PCS, Rebus/Widgit Symbols as well as some Minspeak symbols. There are also around 20 other symbol sets to choose from!
Each single meaning picture represents just 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.
Spelling (or Word-based) Programmes
Typically incorporating a QWERTY keyboard with word prediction and, sometimes, whole word selection.
WordCore (shown here) and WordPower are powerful communication programmes that combine whole-word selection with a choice of spelling keyboards and word prediction. Literacy is required to use these programmes, and a larger number of keystrokes will be needed than with Semantic Compaction.