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From: peters@ee.udel.edu (Shirley Peters)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Computerized ASL dictionary
Keywords: asl, computer, dictionary
Message-ID: <15934@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 28 Nov 90 16:56:10 GMT
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Reply-To: peters@ee.udel.edu (Shirley Peters)
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Index Number: 12022

In article <15870@bunker.UUCP> gest_ss@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Gavin Stark)
writes:
>Index Number: 11967
>
>	Here is a good question for you all... Does a computerized 
>ASL dictionary exist?  I have seen Sign Friends but I was not impressed
>with its resolution or speed. 
>
>	My idea is fairly simple.. I would like to see a videodisk (or
>a set of disks) that would be controlled from say either a Mac or an Amiga
>and would be able to cross reference related words, show different inflections
>of signs, show regional differences, etc.  A truely complete, and difficult
>project.  If anyone has done, started, or are interested in something like
>this please send me e-mail, or post a followup.  If there is interest I will 
>post a summary.

Funny you should ask.  I spent about 2 hours yesterday looking at a
sign language dictionary put together by NTID (nat'l tech. Inst.
for the Deaf). It runs on a Macintosh using Hypercard.  It's being
tested right now, and still has a lot of bugs, but it's basically
what you asked for.

There are a few problems with it, though.  It doesn't have anything
for regional differences, or inflections.  It does have some ASL
stuff, but I don't think it's complete in that sense.  There are
about 9000+ signs, taped from deaf adults and put on 4 video discs,
so the images are full color, but with 4 discs you either need 4
laser-disc players, or have to switch them all the time.  The speed
is very dependent on the computer, and the laser-disc player being
used.  This is not commercially available yet (if ever.)  I have an
address for NTID if you'd like it.

Now, the reason I was looking at this is that I am in the process
(well, alright, just starting) to write my own sign language
dictionary.  The difference in mine is that it will be backwards.
You will look up the 'sign'  (location, handshape, motion, etc) and
the dictionary will come back with the word or words that it
matches.  As far as I know, this has not been attempted on a
computer yet, so if anyone knows of one, please let me know!

Shirley
-- 
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Shirley Peters                                             peters@udel.edu
                           I'd rather be sleeping!
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