Multimedia dictionary of American Sign Language

ABSTRACT

The Multimedia Dictionary of American Sign Language (MM-DASL) is a Macintosh application designed to function as a bilingual (ASL-English) dictionary. It presents ASL signs in full-motion digital video using Apple's QuickTime technology. Major functions of the application include the capability to search for ASL signs by entering English words; the capability to search for ASL signs directly (by specifying formational features); and the capability to perform fuzzy searching (in both ASL and English search modes). For each ASL lexical entry, the dictionary contains definitions of the sign, grammatical information, usage notes, successful English translations, and other information. In addition to serving as the core engine for the MM-DASL, the application is capable of being localized to any signed language, thus allowing researchers and developers in other countries to use the MM-DASL to develop their own signed language dictionaries.

REFERENCES

• 1: Stokoe, W.C., Casterline, D. & C. Croneberg. 1965. The Dictionary of American Sign ~guage on Linguistic Principles. Silver Spring, MD' Linstok Press.
• 2: Bruce Tognazzini, TOG on Interface, Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., Boston, MA, 1992
• 3: Weiser, M. 1991. "The computer for the 21st century." Scientific American, 265(3), 94-104.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.5 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
      Subjects: Language translation

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.1 Multimedia Information Systems
          Subjects: Video (e.g., tape, disk, DVI)

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.7 Natural Language Processing
          Subjects: Machine translation

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages