©Andreas Lund's
English as a second, a foreign, Another Language:

BOTs, Robots, Chatterbots....

Can these guys be great conversationalists? Will shy and reticent pupils finally find a voice by engaging in exchanges with BOTs? Can BOTs be trained or exploited for vocabulary, turntaking, phrases and register?

Find out by trying a few of the characters below. I will add my own comments as I try them out and let pupils use them. I would also love to hear from others on this topic and be informed of BOTs with a potential in language learning. Also, check out BotSpot for more. Here goes (in alphabetical order) ....

• Alice is interesting and takes part in quite a few academic projects. A German version is also available.

• Bob is a nice fellow, good to talk to.

• Brian is a bit like Eliza (see below) but has a bigger repertoire. You may still find him a bit limited since he was designed for a conference.

• Cara Download chatterbot with speech capabilities.

• Cybelle quite articulate on anumber of subjects

• Eliza is a text based virtual therapist, no sophistication but triggered by words like "dreams", "depressed", "mother" etc. Do not expect too much since this was made many years ago, but it is very simple to use.

• DoBOT Based on the Eliza model, but more complex. Download.
• ECC-Eliza, a third variant of the Eliza family and perhaps the most sophisticated. Download.

• GuruBOT can be downloaded. Norwegian design and a quick learner.

• JabberWacky keeps a conversation going, slightly off target and surreal, only to suddenly come up with a thinking BOT's answer or question. He is able to learn from your input.

• The John Lennon Artificial Intelligence Project The goal of the John Lennon Artificial Intelligence Project (JLAIP) is to recreate the personality of the late Beatle, John Lennon, by programming an advanced artificial intelligence with John's own words.

• Julia is textbased. Julia is totally obsessed with pets, especially cats, and it's hard getting her away from this subject! Worth a try, though!

• Leo can actually learn languages. Download.

• Mabel is an auntie-type of BOT, a bit boring but very nice and natural, until she suddenly says something totally out of line. Note the Tips accompanying her answers.

• Mark - but is it the human Mark or the virtual Mark? It's for you to find out.

• Maybelle - sometimes off target , but can be interesting as well...

• MonkeyMind from Innerpeace.Org Hmmm.... you describe your dream with the monkey interrupting you with phrases you have given her/him. Emotional massage?

• MrMind is one of my favorites. You have to prove to MrMind that you are not a machine! (An inverted Turing test! - Courtesy: Robert Kosara). You are actually helping the developers by talking to MrMind, and note that they keep logs.

• SaucyJacky - talk to Jack the Ripper about his victims, not lighthearted conversation...

• MyLittleTony is the Tony Blair you always wanted to meet. Flash 5 required.

• UltraHal might come across as somewhat moody, an easy-going character one minute and grumpy and hot-headed the next.

• Virtual Friend sold to be put on to your desktop. "Never be lonely again!" are the words from the company. You may shudder, or you may be intrigued....

• Yeti - the abominable snowman. A bit rough (what'd you expect?) and not too sophisticated, but may be fun for some.

• Anette - spricht mit mir!

• Robor - another German speaking chatterbot, but who can also learn languages!

• Apollinaris Example of German speaking commercial BOT, press 'Orakel' in left hand margin.

• Dr. Abuse - Spanish speaking chatterbot. Download.

• Eloisa - Italian speaking chatterbot (Eliza-based)

BOTs in action! Examples of BOTs in use: Interactive Drama Inc - a new trend in language learning Ananova brings you the latest news as a virtual news anchor, reading aloud to you NativeMinds - automated virtual representatives BOTizen - the professional guide to your website Mya from Motorola reads your email for you Lara Croft's official UK page, including a personal profile Lara Croft in Real Audio