Computational Creativity: Automated Pun Generation

Humor is an integral part of our day-to-day communication making it interesting and plausible. The growing demand in robotics and the constant urge for machines to pass the Turing test to eliminate the thin line difference between human and machine behavior make it essential for machines to be able to use humor in communication. Moreover, Learning is a continuous process and very important at every stage of life. However sometimes merely reading from a book induces lassitude and lack of concentration may hamper strong foundation building. Children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) suffer from slow learning and grasping issues. English being a funny language, a particular word has multiple meanings, making it difficult for children with ASD to cognize it. Solving riddles induces fast learning and sharpness in children including those affected by ASD. The existing systems however, are too far from being used in any practical application. This paper proposes a system that uses core ideas of JAPE to create puns for entertainment and vocabulary building purpose for children. General Terms Homophone: Two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling (e.g. new and knew) [4]. Homonym: Two or more words having the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings and origins (e.g. pole. and pole) [5]. Rhyming words: Words that have the same ending sounds. E.g. are cat, hat, bat, mat, fat and rat [6]. Punning words: A form of word play that suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect [7]. Pun generator: A system that uses punning words to generate riddles/jokes with an intention of making it humorous.