A computer system that generates simple word-play jokes could help disabled children develop better language skills, say UK researchers.
The system is designed for use by children who must communicate via a computer and voice synthesiser. They must normally select from a preset list of words and phrases, which can limit the scope of a conversation.
The system uses a database of word definitions, sounds and syntax to generate simple play-on-words jokes, or puns, on a chosen subject. Called the System to Augment Non-speakers鈥� Dialogue Using Puns (STANDUP), it was developed by Annalu Waller at Dundee University, UK, who has arranged for eight children with cerebral palsy to test the system.
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鈥淎t the moment these children must use pre-stored phrases to communicate,鈥� Waller told New 杏吧原创. 鈥淭hey can鈥檛 write so they can鈥檛 type what they want to say.鈥�
Language limits
Although existing technology can help disabled children greatly, it can also limit the development of their language skills, she says. 鈥淲e really wanted them to be able to expand their vocabulary and skills in a more natural way,鈥� Waller explains.
The pun-generating software was developed by researchers at Edinburgh University and Glasgow University, both in the UK. It works backwards from the punch line to generate a question that sets it up. Examples jokes include:
What do you get when you cross a car with a sandwich? A traffic jam.
What do you call a strange rabbit? A funny bunny.
What do you call a frog road? A main toad.
An audio clip provides an example of one of the machine鈥檚 jokes (mp3, 170KB).
鈥淚t uses a huge database that connects words with concepts, phonetics and synonyms,鈥� Waller explains. 鈥淚t starts by choosing a compound word like 鈥榝unny bunny鈥� or 鈥榤ain toad鈥� that combines two words with similar phonetic components or that sound like words often used together.鈥�
Waller admits that some of the jokes generated are 鈥減retty appalling鈥� but says STANDUP has delighted children during testing. 鈥淎t its most basic, all the children need to do is press a button to generate a new joke,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey can also choose a topic word like 鈥榩arents鈥� to have a joke on a particular subject.鈥�
Making friends
Psychologist Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, agrees that many of the jokes are bad but notes that 鈥減eople tell some pretty bad jokes too鈥�.
Wiseman previously tested jokes produced by STANDUP鈥檚 pun-generating software during the search for the world鈥檚 funniest joke in 2002. 鈥淲e tested five or six and one of them beat around 250 human jokes,鈥� he says.
Wiseman says STANDUP could be particularly helpful for children with limited communication skills as jokes provide a good way to bond with other people. However, he cautions that more sophisticated software would be needed to produce much better jokes.
鈥淩eal jokes are complicated and require awareness of the social relations between people,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭his technique could never achieve that.鈥�
