12.123, Qs: Frequency List/Communication Aids, "Tra-la-la"

[The LINGUIST Network]

LINGUIST List:  Vol-12-123. Fri Jan 19 2001. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 12.123, Qs: Frequency List/Communication Aids, "Tra-la-la"

Moderators: Anthony Aristar, Wayne State U.<aristar at linguistlist.org>
            Helen Dry, Eastern Michigan U. <hdry at linguistlist.org>
            Andrew Carnie, U. of Arizona <carnie at linguistlist.org>

Reviews: Terence Langendoen: U. of Arizona <terry at linguistlist.org>
	 Simin Karimi: U. of Arizona <simin at linguistlist.org>

Editors: Karen Milligan, Wayne State U. <karen at linguistlist.org>
         Michael Appleby, E. Michigan U. <michael at linguistlist.org>
         Lydia Grebenyova, E. Michigan U. <lydia at linguistlist.org>
         Jody Huellmantel, Wayne State U. <jody at linguistlist.org>
         Marie Klopfenstein, Wayne State U. <marie at linguistlist.org>
	 Naomi Ogasawara, E. Michigan U. <naomi at linguistlist.org>
	 James Yuells, Wayne State U. <james at linguistlist.org>
         Ljuba Veselinova, Stockholm U. <ljuba at linguistlist.org>

Software: John Remmers, E. Michigan U. <remmers at emunix.emich.edu>
          Gayathri Sriram, E. Michigan U. <gayatri at linguistlist.org>

Home Page:  http://linguistlist.org/

The LINGUIST List is funded by Eastern Michigan University, Wayne
State University, and donations from subscribers and publishers.


Editor for this issue: Karen Milligan <karen at linguistlist.org>
 ==========================================================================

We'd like to remind readers that the responses to queries are usually
best posted to the individual asking the question. That individual is
then  strongly encouraged to post a summary to the list.   This policy was
instituted to help control the huge volume of mail on LINGUIST; so we
would appreciate your cooperating with it whenever it seems appropriate.

=================================Directory=================================

1)
Date:  19 Jan 2001 09:21:24 +0000
From:  Simon.Brownsell at bdgh-tr.trent.nhs.uk
Subject:  word frequency for communication aids

2)
Date:  Fri, 19 Jan 2001 09:19:18 -0500
From:  Elizabeth Alexander <alexander at clarityconnect.com>
Subject:  Equivalents of the syllables: "tra-la-la"

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  19 Jan 2001 09:21:24 +0000
From:  Simon.Brownsell at bdgh-tr.trent.nhs.uk
Subject:  word frequency for communication aids

Dear group,
	
I am trying to identify a list of commonly used words/phrases for
disabled people with communication aids.  I am aware of the word
frequency data that is available, but cannot locate specific
information for the group in question.

For example, a user may select "drink" and through speech synthesis
the result may be "I would like a drink please".  I am hoping to
identify the commonly used words/phrases so that we can incorporate
these into a speech recognition communication aid for people with
sever dysarthria (See http://www.dcs.shef.ac.uk/~pdg/stardust/).
However, discussions with Speech and Language Therapists and
literature searching has not revealed a list.
	
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
	
Simon



-------------------------------- Message 2 -------------------------------

Date:  Fri, 19 Jan 2001 09:19:18 -0500
From:  Elizabeth Alexander <alexander at clarityconnect.com>
Subject:  Equivalents of the syllables: "tra-la-la"



Dear Linguists,

I am a composer seeking other language equivalents of the English
nonsense singing syllables: "tra-la-la," for use in a commissioned
work for a children's choir. I've collected the following syllables so
far, primarily from Western languages. But I'd particularly like to
find syllables from parts of AFRICA, ASIA, or SOUTH AMERICA. Along
with an "English spelling" of the syllables, I'd appreciate
information about the vowel sounds, stressed syllables, and common
variations. (Comments about the syllables I've already collected are
also welcome!)

Please respond privately to alexander at clarityconnect.com. If there's
some interest in my posting the results, I'll do so.

British: "tyr-a-li, tyr-a-lo"
German: "val-de-ri, val-de-ra"
Scandinavian: "ho-la-hi, ho-la-ho"
Swedish: "suderuttan-tei" (the "u" as in "blue")
Norwegian: "suddeli-dei" (the "u" as in "blue," the accent on the "dei")
French: "la-deri-don-la"
Turkish: "ten-nen-ni ten-nen-nen-ni"
Russian versions from specific songs:
"liuli liuli" (cf. "Kalinka")
"ai-da-da" (cf. the so called "Volga Boatsong")


Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Alexander
-

Elizabeth Alexander / SEAFARER PRESS MUSIC
alexander at clarityconnect.com
http://www.elizabethalexander.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-12-123