Effective Vocabularies
Imagine that from now on you can talk as much as you like, but you can only use the same 100 words. You would need to choose the best 100 words to let you communicate most effectively; with the widest range of people; about the widest range of topics' and both now and in the future. It is difficult to think of which words you are most likely to need - but this is the sort of thing you would have to think about if you were designing an AAC system for someone who could not talk.
You would want a personalised vocabulary reflecting your personality, age, culture and gender.
You would need the vocabulary to be flexible, with words to help you:
Start, end and control conversations (e.g. "Can I ask you a question?"; "OK, I'm off now."; "I'd like to talk to you about...")
Say what you want, what you need, and how you feel (e.g. "I want to / don't want to watch TV now."; "I need to go to the bathroom."; "I'm feeling a bit fed up just now.")
Clear up misunderstandings (e.g. "That's not what I meant, I'll say it another way.")
Say things that you have never said before in your life (e.g. "Will you marry me?")
Talk about your interests (e.g. "That photo has a good depth of field.")
Ask questions (e.g. "What did you do on holiday?")
Make positive and negative comments (e.g." I really like that."; "I think that class is boring.")
Say things angrily, politely, cheekily (e.g. "When are you going to make that cup of tea - I asked you 10 minutes ago!"; "Please can I have a cup of tea?"; "I'd die of thirst before you get round to making that cup of tea!")
Tell jokes (e.g. "Knock, knock. Who's there?...")