Culture and Graphic Symbols in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Graphic symbols are useful for individuals with complex communication in use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Brown (1977, 1978) hypothesized that the iconicity of graphic symbols was culture bound. Last decades, cross-cultural studies have been implemented suggesting that the cultural background of an AAC user might have an important influence on his or her symbol perception and use of graphic symbols. The purpose of this study is to analyze research literature on cross-cultural issues after 1977 and aspects of graphic symbols in AAC using systematic review method. As a result, findings from eleven papers on cross-cultural issues of graphic symbols in AAC supported the possibility of culture-bound in graphic symbol perception. Directions for future research are presented based on identified research gaps.