TouchChat French (Canadian)

Last updated: 27/01/2025

The Canadian French Vocabulary Package in the TouchChat app provides a range of communication tools specifically designed for French-speaking individuals in Canada. These vocabulary files are tailored to support various communication needs and contexts, offering flexibility and customisation options for users. The standard Canadian French vocabularies are available across all TouchChat apps, while additional WordPower vocabularies are integrated within the TouchChat with WordPower app. Each vocabulary set is customisable, allowing users to modify the number of buttons displayed, as well as choose images, labels, spoken messages, colours, and fonts to suit their preferences.

Visit Resource

How to access the resource:

https://touchchatapp.com/canadian-french

General

Languages

French

Does this vocabulary cost to access?

Vocabulary included in software price, One-off cost

Format

Electronic

Translation Method

‘Fluent’ speaker of the language(s) who has a language based profession e.g. Speech & Language Therapist, Linguist, Language Teacher or similar e.g. a Polish vocabulary that has been created by a fluent Polish speaker who is also a Speech & Language Therapist would meet this criteria

Supplier

Liberator Ltd.

Software Required

iOS

Text To Speech

Are voices available in the same language(s) as the vocabulary?

Yes

What voices are available?

Male adult, Female adult, Male child, Female child

Does the system need internet access for the voice to run?

Vocabulary

Is the settings/software menu available in the same language(s) as the vocabulary?

Does the package support code switching (speaking two or more languages within one sentence/message bar)?

Yes

Can the user switch between languages while staying in the vocabulary package? (E.g via a link on the home page or tool bar etc)

Yes

When the vocabulary was created what features of the language were considered?

When creating this vocabulary, several key linguistic features were considered to ensure it aligns with the needs of individuals communicating in the target language. The fringe words—such as names of festivals, foods, and places—were carefully selected because they reflect culturally relevant topics that a person communicating in this language would naturally want to discuss. In addition, the core words were chosen based on their high frequency of use in the language. These words are foundational to communication, enabling users to express themselves effectively across various contexts. The vocabulary is structured to allow users to generate grammatically correct utterances. This includes providing options for gender-specific word forms, which is crucial for maintaining proper grammar in languages where gender agreement is important. The system also accommodates the use of accented letters, ensuring that words are spelled and pronounced accurately according to the language's conventions. For individuals with aphasia, the vocabulary incorporates aphasia-specific strategies within the dedicated aphasia pageset. These strategies are designed to support individuals with communication difficulties by simplifying language use and providing targeted tools for clearer, more effective interaction.

Is it a Text-only or Symbol + Text vocabulary?

Symbol + Text

Are there written labels on the cells as well as symbols?

Yes

Is it possible to have two labels on the cell with the symbol?

Yes

Is it possible to have symbol-only page sets? (i.e no written labels)

Is there a keyboard available?

Yes

What keyboards are available?

Keyboards in both the language(s) of the vocabulary and English (e.g. an Urdu vocabulary has both an Urdu keyboard and an English keyboard)

Is there a search function/word finder?

Yes

Can you change the skin tone of symbols?

Yes

Can the vocabulary content be personalised for the individual?

Yes

What level of language ability does this package support? (pick the best fit category)

One word or prestored message at a time (this could include a prestored message that says “I need a drink” but would not offer the flexibility to change the message to “I need juice”) Combining sentence starters with endings (this could be e.g. a Food page that has some sentence starters, “I want to eat…” “I don’t like…” and a word bank to complete the sentence) Combining several words together to make sentences, but not necessarily grammatically correct. Combining several words together at sentence level and including the correct grammar, such as using the correct verb form, and noun-verb agreement and other features as expected in the language. (to meet this criteria the functioning of the vocabulary must be able to accommodate the language’s sentence structure and grammar).

What topics of conversation does the system support? (choose the best fit category)

Wide range of topics including school topics (children) work/ daily living related vocabulary (adults) and common hobbies/ interests, cultural/ religious practices

Is there a translation function available?