[community] Gloves that Translate ASL to Speech

Wed Jun 1 20:18:41 UTC 2016

The gloves don't seem necessary with the advances in image processing and deep learning.

For example, this prototype from Microsoft Research uses the Kinect to capture/understand the images and translate between different sign languages:

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/stories/kinect-sign-language-translator.aspx

Video: http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=204170

> -----Original Message-----
> From: community [mailto:community-bounces at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca] On Behalf Of
> Foster, Julia
> Sent: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 4:55 PM
> To: 'Inclusive Design Community' <community at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca>
> Subject: Re: [community] Gloves that Translate ASL to Speech
> 
> I'm speaking as someone who does not use ASL and does not know much more than
> some basics, but like every technology, I think it's very person-dependent. I agree we
> can't generalize and say this technology is amazing for the whole deaf community
> and would be welcomed and appropriate in all contexts. But I also think it's a pretty
> cool technology that has potential to be useful if someone wanted to have the ability
> to convert sign to speech.
> 
> I could see that the grammar via facial expressions may differ between the deaf and
> deaf-blind community though I do not know one way or the other if this is true. But it
> also could differ significantly within the each group as well. I don't know enough
> about ASL to understand how grammar is conveyed through the face, but arguably,
> most individuals convey a significant amount of the message through their facial
> expressions as well whether they use their voice or an augmentative communication
> device (though users who speak with their own vocal cords often have some control
> over intonation, volume, and other voice characteristics).
> 
> As a thought -- perhaps this technology could also be viewed as for the listener, not
> the signer. Perhaps this type of technology could be purchased by banks, large chain
> stores, libraries, etc. to act in place of a translator for their staff when clients who use
> sign language are on site -- if they are comfortable wearing a pair of gloves. (Obvious
> logistical problems include hand size). It kind of seems like a Babel fish for sign
> language for anyone who has read Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
> 
> Have a good day,
> Julia
> 
> 
> Julia Foster, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)
> Coordinator, Vision Technology Service & SNOW
> Inclusive Design Research Centre
> 205 Richmond ST. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 1V3
> 
> Telephone: 416 977 6000 x3966
> Fax: 416 977 9844
> Email: jfoster at ocadu.ca
> 
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: community [mailto:community-bounces at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca] On Behalf Of
> D'Intino, Pina
> Sent: June-01-16 3:13 PM
> To: Tara Robertson <trobertson at langara.ca>; 'Taliesin Smith' <talilief at gmail.com>;
> 'Inclusive Design Community' <community at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca>
> Subject: Re: [community] Gloves that Translate ASL to Speech
> 
> I wonder thought if the same thoughts would apply to someone  who is deaf/blind?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: community [mailto:community-bounces at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca] On Behalf Of Tara
> Robertson
> Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 2:57 PM
> To: 'Taliesin Smith'; 'Inclusive Design Community'
> Subject: Re: [community] Gloves that Translate ASL to Speach
> 
> Here's an article that critiques this technology. In particular, I love this
> quote: "Deaf people are viewed as a liability in terms of communication, when in
> reality, the opposite is true. We are the experts at communication.
> From living in a society that constantly demands observation and improvisation of us,
> we have learned how to communicate in countless ways."
> http://www.theestablishment.co/2016/05/11/deaf-people-dont-need-new-communic
> ation-tools-everyone-else-does/
> 
> One of the Queer ASL instructors also pointed out that so much grammar happens in
> the face, so this technology is both inappropriate and flawed.
> 
> Tara
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: community [mailto:community-bounces at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca] On Behalf Of
> Taliesin Smith
> Sent: June-01-16 11:35 AM
> To: Inclusive Design Community
> Subject: [community] Gloves that Translate ASL to Speach
> 
> Two undergraduate students team up to invent SignAloud. A set of gloves that
> converts ASL signs to speech.
> 
> They have won the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize:
> 
> Story at the following link:
> http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/04/12/uw-undergraduate-team-wins-
> 10000-l
> emelson-mit-student-prize-for-gloves-that-translate-sign-language/
> 
> Taliesin
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