An analysis of sign language group communication and support of such communication by projecting the upper body of the signer

Abstract

Effective sign language communication requires not only seeing the signer’s hand, but also seeing facial expressions and body position, especially when communicating in groups. Here, we address the needs of those who use sign language in group settings. First, to better understand issues surrounding sign language group communication, we interviewed sign language users and performed in-loco observations of group communication. Then, we devised a support system projecting the signer’s upper body onto a screen and compared group communication with and without the support system. The results revealed that participants found it difficult to see signers sitting adjacent to them, to follow quick turns in conversation, and to identify the next signer in time. Although signers preferred not to employ our system as their principal communication tool, they found it useful to identify the current signer.