Sign Language Out Loud

hcetSJ writes "CNN.com has an article about a glove that reads sign language and can translate to spoken English. Although it's only one-handed now, and can only handle about 200 words, the inventor has further plans for a second hand and wider vocabulary. I wonder if this could be linked with the Rosetta Stone idea, to quickly expand the vocabulary. Also mentioned in the article is the possibility of military use...gaming control can't be far off." grvsmth points to a more detailed article on GWU's website.

not sure how easy this would be...

[jfruhlinger]

ASL (and other sign languages) aren't just word-for-word translations of Englis (and other spoken languages); they are true languages with their own unique grammar. Any attempt at an on-the-fly translation would, it seems to me, result in a muddle that would make the Babelfish sound like Shakespeare.

jf

Re:not sure how easy this would be...

[jfengel]

True enough, especially given that interpreting ASL depends on many factors other than hand position (speed, intensity, facial gestures, etc.) Much of that, however, can be communicated effectively even to non-ASL speakers, and serves to enhance a Babelfish-esque translation.

Just as Babelfish gives me at least a rough idea of what an article in another language says, it would be a substantial boon to an ASL speaker to be able to get at least the gist across to somebody who doesn't speak ASL. And unlike Babelfish, which I only have to use occasionally, most ASL users must communicate with non-deaf speakers essentially every single day.

Re:not sure how easy this would be...

[mattlary]

There are different types of Sign Language, even within the United States. For example: the sign language which you see interpreters using is not necessarily the same 'dialect' Deaf people use when talking to eachother. The type which interpreters use is much easier to interpret into English than the ASL that Deaf people use.

As far as Grammar goes, the grammatical structure of Sign Language is much simpler than that of English and other languages. The biggest grammatical difference would be word order. For example- you may say, "I posted to Slashdot last week". Literally signed, this may be "I Posted slashdot week last".

In any case, this is a great step towards independence for Deaf people in a hearing world.

Re:not sure how easy this would be...

[mph]

The signer may, however, be able to adapt to the limitations of the device, just as I simplify my English when speaking to someone who does not understand the language well.