What are the biggest challenges in creating computational linguistics applications for sign languages?

2 Modality complexity

Another challenge in creating computational linguistics applications for sign languages is the complexity of the visual-spatial modality. Unlike spoken and written languages, which use linear sequences of sounds or symbols, sign languages use multiple channels of information, such as hand shapes, locations, movements, orientations, eye gaze, facial expressions, and body posture. These channels can convey different meanings, such as grammatical functions, semantic roles, discourse markers, and pragmatic cues. Moreover, these channels can interact with each other, creating complex patterns of coarticulation, modulation, and iconicity. Therefore, there is a need for more sophisticated models and techniques that can capture and analyze the multimodal and nonlinear nature of sign languages, and that can handle the variability and ambiguity that arise from the visual-spatial modality.

3 Application diversity

A third challenge in creating computational linguistics applications for sign languages is the diversity of the potential applications. Sign languages can be used for various purposes, such as education, entertainment, accessibility, and communication. Each of these purposes may require different types of applications, such as sign language recognition, translation, synthesis, tutoring, captioning, and animation. Each of these applications may also have different requirements, such as speed, accuracy, naturalness, adaptability, and usability. Therefore, there is a need for more research and development that can address the specific needs and challenges of different sign language applications, and that can evaluate their performance and impact on the sign language users and communities.

4 Ethical issues

A final challenge in creating computational linguistics applications for sign languages is the ethical issues that may arise from the use and misuse of these applications. Sign languages are not only linguistic systems, but also cultural and social identities of the deaf and hard-of-hearing people who use them. Therefore, any computational linguistics application that involves sign languages should respect and protect the rights, interests, and values of the sign language users and communities, and should not harm or exploit them. Moreover, any computational linguistics application that involves sign languages should be developed and implemented with the participation and consultation of the sign language users and communities, and should be accessible and affordable to them. Therefore, there is a need for more ethical awareness and responsibility among the researchers and developers of computational linguistics applications for sign languages, and for more guidelines and regulations that can ensure the ethical and fair use of these applications.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?