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PRC-Saltillo is pleased to announce a newly adapted WordPower® vocabulary file in Mandarin/Simplified Chinese, available now on the iOS app TouchChat® HD with WordPower (2.51 or newer), or on a fundable Via® device.
Many thanks to WordPower Creator Nancy Inman, M.A.T., CCC-SLP and Shirley Feng, M.S., CCC-SLP for their time and effort in adapting this vocabulary for Mandarin-speaking communicators. Feng is a native Mandarin speaker, and a multi-lingual speech-language pathologist. WordPower60 Mandarin was beta-tested by native speakers, families, and AAC professionals.
WordPower60 Mandarin, or 语力60(WordPower), is a robust AAC vocabulary that features culturally appropriate symbols from SymbolStix, and eight new Almagu synthesized male and female, adult and child voices. One may also choose to create a free custom voice through The Voice Keeper AAC™ app or Apple® personal voice.
Each WordPower vocabulary file is similar in terms of arrangement, color coding, core words, and semantic content. These similarities assist with navigation of the vocabularies for both bilingual communicators as well as their communication partners. Inman and Feng referenced the English WordPower60 Basic file throughout the translation process. This adaptation project was complex due to the many differences between the languages. For example:
WordPower60 Mandarin file includes Chinese written symbols, and Pīnyīn was used to assist with organization of the ACTION and DESCRIBING words. Pīnyīn is a phonetic system developed in the 1950s around the same time that Simplified Chinese was adapted from Traditional Chinese. Using the Roman alphabet, Pīnyīn represents pronunciation of Chinese symbols. It is used for learning Mandarin, typing Chinese on computers and smartphones, and teaching correct pronunciation.
Supports in this vocabulary include a Pīnyīn “cheat sheet” to assist English speakers with recognition and pronunciation of core vocabulary, as well as suggested Settings for iOS device and the TouchChat app.
WordPower60 Mandarin utilizes the iOS keyboard option rather than a keyboard constructed within the TouchChat software. The button action called “System Keyboard” makes this integration possible.
The distinct characteristics of Mandarin pushed the PRC-Saltillo iOS Software Development Team to explore new options for app functionality and ensure that the vocabulary performed optimally for Mandarin speakers. Sophisticated voice synthesizers were added to assist with Mandarin pronunciation.
“There’s such a huge Mandarin-speaking population around the world and it’s exciting to make this work available to them,” Inman said. “We received a lot of feedback during the development process and I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone’s experiences with the vocabulary file.” While traveling to Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis for the recent WordPower Tour, Inman met professionals who knew families who could use this adapted file.
This Mandarin file features the best of WordPower including:
Visit the AAC Language Lab to download the free implementation activities created in collaboration by the Training and Implementation team and the Bruce Baker Award team. You’ll find a story, a game, and a conversation tool to help Mandarin-speaking partners practice AAC with their learners.
Mandarin Support Document - English/Chinese
TouchChat User Guide - Mandarin
Mandarin Lite-Tech Board (Simplified and Traditional Chinese)
Inman and Feng will present at the ATiA Conference in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, January 30 at 2:15 p.m. EST. Their presentation, “WordPower60 Mandarin for TouchChat: Bilingual Communication for the U.S. and China” introduces the new file and bilingual AAC support for Mandarin, with over 900 million native speakers. Session highlights include:
In addition to Mandarin/Simplified Chinese, WordPower is available in the following languages on the TouchChat app. Each file was developed with the support of a native speaker.
Lite-tech boards for several WordPower vocabularies are available to download at no cost on the AAC Language Lab.
WordPower60 Mandarin is one of three Mandarin/Simplified Chinese AAC vocabularies released this year on the TouchChat app. Learn more about Mandarin MultiChat 15 or 多聊15 青少年 (MC15) and Communication Journey: Aphasia or 沟通之旅：失语症 (CJA) files.
For more information about Mandarin AAC for TouchChat, please contact info@touchchatapp.com.
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