Although

 there  are  manual  coding  systems  for  English,  commonly  called  “Signed  

English”,  these  are  coding  systems  and  are  distinct  from  ASL,  which  is  a  natural  language  in  

its  own  right.    Coding  systems  for  English  lie  outside  of  this  study.  

Figure  1:  A  signer  demonstrating  large  and  small  classifiers.  

Because  English  is  their  second  language,  the  average  Deaf  comprehension  of  

written  English  is  at  the  fourth-­‐grade  level  (Erting,  1992).    Thus,  neither  spoken  nor  written  

English  is  a  viable  alternative  for  the  Deaf.  A  digital  English-­‐ASL  translator  would  facilitate  

greater  communication  between  the  Deaf  and  hearing  communities.    It  would  be  

particularly  useful  in  situations  where  the  interaction  is  brief,  specific  and  predictable,  and  

where  there  is  no  possibility  of  obtaining  the  services  of  a  human  interpreter.    For  example,  

at  a  hotel  reception  desk,  an  automated  translator  would  help  clarify  the  information  and  

directions  given  by  the  receptionist  much  more  quickly  than  would  be  possible  if  the  clerk  

had  to  write  the  information  with  a  pencil  and  paper.  

A  computerized  translation  would  also  enable  private  communication  of  sensitive  

dialogue,  such  as  one  typical  to  a  doctor’s  visit.    A  Deaf  patient  would  relay  automatically  

translated  messages,  instead  of  using  a  human  interpreter.  While  certified  interpreters  

  2