Semantic Compaction

A method of encoding language for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that maps concepts onto sequences of multi-meaning icons. Each icon is deliberately ambiguous, and meaning is resolved when icons are combined into sequences called iconic sentences. For example, an apple icon combined with a verb icon might produce "eat," while the same apple icon with a noun icon produces "food." This approach allows representation of thousands of concepts using only 50 to 120 icons, enabling faster communication than letter-by-letter spelling while remaining learnable for people with significant speech and motor impairments.