Gesture annotation is a fundamental process in all types of gesture research. However, it is usually performed manually, making it a time- and resource-consuming process. Recent progress in...Show moreGesture annotation is a fundamental process in all types of gesture research. However, it is usually performed manually, making it a time- and resource-consuming process. Recent progress in automatic human motion tracking has sparked the development of tools that partly automate gesture annotation, such as the tools by Ripperda et al. (2020) and Ienaga et al. (2022). Although aimed at annotating signs, the tool by Fragkiadakis et al. (2021) could also be useful for gesture research. As the tools are only recently developed, it is not yet confirmed whether they can facilitate the annotation process. In this thesis, the extent to which the tools can be made operable is tested through User Acceptance Testing, and their performance and usability are evaluated based on criteria sets. It was observed that the tools by Ripperda et al. (2020) and Ienaga et al. (2022) still contained fatal errors and failed to generate annotations, whereas the tool by Fragkiadakis et al. (2021) was easily made operable. However, the accuracy of the produced annotations was low and robustness could be improved, for example by training a new model. Overall, the results indicate that the tools by Ripperda et al. (2020) and Ienaga et al. (2022) still require development, and that the sign language-based tool by Fragkiadakis et al. (2021) could potentially be used for facilitating gesture annotation.Show less
The paper discribes the different ways in which Tanzanian Sign Language and Kenyan Sign Language portray temporal lexicon compared to the theory on how spoken languages portray temporal lexicon,...Show moreThe paper discribes the different ways in which Tanzanian Sign Language and Kenyan Sign Language portray temporal lexicon compared to the theory on how spoken languages portray temporal lexicon, how other sign languages portray temporal lexicon and compared to each other.Show less
This thesis presents a cross-linguistic analysis of expressing emotions in sign languages. Four claims about iconicity in sign languages are tested, which were merely based on American Sign...Show moreThis thesis presents a cross-linguistic analysis of expressing emotions in sign languages. Four claims about iconicity in sign languages are tested, which were merely based on American Sign Language. These claims are tested cross-linguistically for four different sign languages, namely the unrelated sign languages of Guinea-Bissau (LGG), the Netherlands (NGT), Mexico (LSMY) and Hong Kong (HKSL). The data indicates that the torso is preferred as the articulation place for expressing emotion in NGT and HKSL, which also predominantly express the basic emotions at the torso. Most of the signs of LGG are expressed at the head (also the basic emotions) and surprisingly LSMY only expresses emotion at the head. For the second parameter, motion, the data supports the claim that a movement towards the interlocutor indicates the communication of the speaker’s emotional state towards the interlocutor. The third parameter handshape indicates different levels of positivity or negativity in expressing emotion. However, the dictionaries of the four sign languages differ in quality and quantity and more research and data is needed.Show less
Katwijk heeft een hoge incidentie van erfelijke doofheid. In gemeenschappen waar dit voorkomt ontstaat in alle bekende gevallen een eigen gebarentaal. Deze scriptie is de eerste stap in het...Show moreKatwijk heeft een hoge incidentie van erfelijke doofheid. In gemeenschappen waar dit voorkomt ontstaat in alle bekende gevallen een eigen gebarentaal. Deze scriptie is de eerste stap in het onderzoeken of er ook in Katwijk een eigen gebarentaal is geweest. De hoofdvraag is of er sprake is van specifieke Katwijkse gebaren en wat dit vertelt over de vraag of er een eigen gebarentaalvariant in Katwijk is geweest voordat de eerste dove bewoners naar dovenscholen gingen. Dit is gedaan door een lexicale variatie studie met behulp van interviews met dove Katwijkse gebarentaalgebruikers. De specifieke Katwijkse gebaren in deze interviews zijn door middel van een filtersysteem eruit gefilterd. Uit het onderzoek naar 188 gebaren is naar voren gekomen dat er zes hiervan mogelijk Katwijkse gebaren zijn. Dit onderzoek lijkt daarom in de richting te wijzen dat er specifieke Katwijkse gebaren zijn, wat mogelijk zou kunnen betekenen dat er een Katwijkse gebarentaal is geweest. Hier is echter meer onderzoek naar nodig.Show less
