Word prediction and word completion for the German language

Motor impaired people in general and especially those who suffer from an additional speech impairment are in need for communication devices which offer strategies for economic text input. Depending from the degree of motor impairment the input rate can be as low as 3 to 10 characters per minute. Keystroke-saving methods help to speed-up the communication rate. The goal of the paper is to explain the nature, the benefits and drawbacks of Predictive Typing. Especially the problems arising with the prediction of highly inflected languages (like German) are considered and strategies to overcome these difficulties are outlined, Future research and development should not only concentrate on methods to:achieve:high keystroke saving-rates but also consider the entire text entry process. That includes that a human-computer-interface has to be designed which reduces the cognitive strain connected with the selection process and minimises time and movements necessary for shifting attention between keyboard and screen.