Ross Millar: How to write sign languages
There is no accepted way of writing or notating Sign Languages (SLs) for Deaf people. As many Deaf people do not know any spoken language, reading and gaining access to information is difficult.This research is focused on developing two parallel notation systems for SLs – an XML notation for use by computers and a graphical version for writing and reading. Both are capable of recording all articulators (eyebrows, eyes, eyelids, shoulders..., as well as hands) for any SL. Both notations are independent of English and other spoken languages, which allows them to record any signing including one-off depictions that are common in SLs. The XML notation can be used to generate graphical images for a "sign processor" – exactly like a word processor, but for SLs – as well as creating a standard for other SL computing applications.