Stakeholder validation of a Sepedi core vocabulary list as a resource for augmentative and alternative communication

Abstract

Purpose

The development of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources to support communication interventions for underserved communities is an urgent necessity. The purpose of the study was to obtain stakeholder feedback on vocabulary items from a Sepedi core vocabulary list developed as a resource for vocabulary selection for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, and to expand the list based on stakeholders’ vocabulary recommendations.

Method

A questionnaire was used to obtain the ratings of 57 stakeholders regarding the importance of including 155 Sepedi words from the Sepedi core vocabulary list on an AAC system for a child with receptive language skills at the level of a 4-year-old or higher. Stakeholders also suggested additional words to include on the system.

Result

All words were rated as important or very important. However, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between the average frequency of occurrence of words belonging to a specific category and the average importance rating that stakeholders assigned to words in that category. A total of 48 words were additionally suggested by three or more stakeholders.

Conclusion

Stakeholder ratings validated the list as relevant to consult in vocabulary selection for Sepedi AAC systems for children. Stakeholder-suggested words may be a useful supplement to this list.

Keywords:

• augmentative and alternative communication
• children
• core vocabulary
• Sepedi
• stakeholder validation
• vocabulary selection

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank all the respondents taking part in the study. This study was made possible with the support from the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR). SADiLaR is a research infrastructure established by the Department of Science and Technology of the South African government as part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR). The views expressed in this publication are of the authors. They do not reflect the official views of SADiLaR.

Disclosure statement

We have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Notes

1 In Sepedi, question words are classified as nouns.