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Contenuto archiviato il 2022-11-15

The Development of a Printing System for Sign Languages

Obiettivo

Sign language and signed information are usually recorded using video, photographs, or line drawings. The SIGN Printing System will allow users to record signs and signed texts efficiently in a standardised and highly readable format, using the computer.

In 1988, the European Parliament passed a resolution stating that the sign languages of the European Community be officially recognised by the Community as well as by those Member States which did not already do so, and that any remaining obstacles to the use of sign languages be abolished. The SIGN PS project intends to remove one of the remaining obstacles: the absence of a writing system for sign languages.

Technical Approach : The SIGN Printing System will consist of a sign font that can be used to represent signs on paper, a sign and document editor, and special purpose sign input devices. A prediction system with 'ready-to-use' sign representations will be included in the system for easy use. At the same time, it will be possible for the user to edit or create sign representations at will, making the system flexible and sign language independent.

Two 'low-risk' input devices (mouse/keyboard and datatablet) will allow the user to input signs by sequentially specifying sign parameters: the handshape, location and orientation of the hand, and the movement of the hand. For fast and more natural input of signs, prototypes for two 3-D sign input devices will be developed: a glove based system and a video-based system. These 3-D input devices will allow the user to present complete signs to the system for real time automatic recognition.

Impact and Expected Results : The SIGN Printing System will facilitate the production of documents in sign language, ranging from sign dictionaries and sign language grammar books, to sign poetry and computer manuals translated into sign language. These documents can be used by anyone who wants to learn or use sign language; more important however, will be the use by prelingually deaf children and adults. Research has shown over and over again that the majority of prelingually deaf persons have only a limited command of the spoken language of the hearing community - whether in spoken or in written form. As a consequence most of them are functionally illiterate. As stated above, the European Community has recognised that sign languages allow prelingually deaf people equal access to communication; a sign printing system will allow them equal access to printed information as well.

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Meccanismo di finanziamento

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinatore

IRV
Contributo UE
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Indirizzo
Zandbergsweg 111
6432 CC Hoensbroek
Paesi Bassi

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Partecipanti (4)