Objectif The SIGNBASE project will develop and produce multimedia signed language databases.The project seeks to demonstrate how multimedia technology, incorporating the use of signed languages, can contribute to the lives of deaf adults and children for whom a signed language is their first or preferred language. A signed language database will be produced which will be used to develop teaching materials and corpora of the signs of natural signed languages. In order to illustrate the capability of the database, two CD ROM end-user applications will also be produced: a British Sign Language/English Dictionary and bilingual teaching materials in the Sign Language of the Netherlands and written Dutch. The first will provide British Deaf adults with a reference work on their own language which is directly accessible in their own language(s). The second application will provide deaf children, their parents and teachers with bilingual educational material in the signed and written languages of the Netherlands. A major innovative aspect of the project is that it takes as its starting point the signed languages of the Deaf communities within the UK and the Netherlands.Technical Approach : Signed languages are visual-gestural languages which do not have conventional written forms. It is therefore not possible to convey adequately the nature and form of signed languages through text and still image-based publications. Multimedia technology provides the means of capturing and conveying the complexity of such languages. It also allows Deaf people to access the information in their preferred language.The technological basis for the project is a unique computer image archiving system (Visage TM) developed by BSL Computer Consultancy for large-scale image storage and retrieval. For the TIDE project this software will be further developed in order to store and retrieve movie sequences. This enables signed language to be presented, selected and stored as still images and movie sequences (as well as in written languages, and notation systems). Movies and still images can be decompressed in real time during retrieval for viewing and/or printing. This will enable playback of the information from CD ROM or over networks. Image data will be compressed and stored in accordance with internationally defined compression standards (JPEG, MPEG) and can, where appropriate, be output on any postscript level 1 or 2 printing device.Impact and Expected Results : The project will produce fast, flexible, easily accessible signed language resources for Deaf adults, deaf children and their parents, Deaf organisations, teachers of deaf children, training organisations, research centres and third party software developers. The products will demonstrate how multimedia technology, incorporating signed languages, can improve Deaf people's access to information. It is anticipated that the products will contribute to establishing a European market for multimedia signed language products. Programme(s) HS-TIDE 1 - Technology initiative (EEC) for disabled and elderly people (TIDE), 1993-1994 Thème(s) 5.3 - Tools for sign language Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur University of Durham Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse New Elvet DH1 3HP Durham Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (3) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire Bright Side of Life Computer Consultancy (BSL) Pays-Bas Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Dutch Foundation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child (NSDSK) Pays-Bas Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Pin Drop Productions (Pin Drop) Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée
