[CEUD-ICT] Fwd: Sign Language translator for iPods and iPhones

[Mark Magennis]

Further to the discussion about the sign language iPhone app, here's some input from those that know more than I do about this kind of thing.


>From Susan Whelan, Irish Deaf Society <Susan at irishdeafsociety.ie>:

The Irish Deaf Society is actually working with a company at the moment to provide an ISL app on the iPhone

We're aware there is a market for it and I myself have been working on this project for the last month,

We're aiming not to use avatars/animation but real life signers on the app

And just to reiterate what Julianne says - BSL and ASL signs would not be suitable for ISL learners - completely different!

I will of course let you know of any development,

Susan Whelan


>From Julianne Gillen, DeafHear <julianne.gillen at deafhear.ie>:

ASL's grammar is just as complex as ISL and BSL.  In fact you will not find
any language that models itself on the English language - the English
language is unique, any application that offers a direct translation to/from
English is never going to work 100%; it can only offer 70-80% translation at
best.

But with sign language: I would estimate at best 40% translation potential
as 15% grammar/context related, 15% placement and 30% expressions/body
language would be excluded from the translation a huge part of the message
would be lost. Please note these figures are estimates based on facts we
have for ISL - the Centre of Deaf Studies would have the correct breakdown
figures if needed.  I worked with a study group in DCU some years back
looking into something similar using a electronic glove to translate the
sign back into written format and it was deemed difficult as the 'glove'
couldn't determine the placement or individual expression needed to complete
the translation. We concluded that for a ISL/BSL/ASL translation to work
correctly would mean direct-live translation, i.e. translation filmed by
signer via a webcam and forwarded to the recipient.

Regards,

Julianne







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