Overview of capture techniques for studying sign language phonetics

Abstract

The increased availability of technology to measure human movement has presented exciting new possibilities for analysing natural sign language production. Up until now, most descriptions of sign movement have been produced in the context of theoretical phonology. While such descriptions are useful, they have the potential to mask subtle distinctions in articulation across signers or across sign languages. This paper seeks to describe the advantages and disadvantages of various technologies used in sign articulation research.