Sign language communication between Japanese-Korean and Japanese-Portuguese using CG animation

Abstract

We propose a sign language communication between different languages such as Japanese-Korean and Japanese-Portuguese using computer graphics (CG) animation of sign language based on the intelligent image communication method. For this purpose sign language animation is produced using gesture or text data expressing sign language. In the production process of CG animation of sign language, MATLAB and LIFO language are used, where MATLAB is useful for three-dimensional signal processing of gestures and for displaying animation of sign language. On the other hand the LIFO language, which is a descendant of the LISP and FORTH language families, is developed and used to produce live CG animations, resulting in a high-speed interactive system of designing and displaying sign language animations. A simple experiment was conducted to translate Japanese sign language into Korean and Portuguese sign languages using the developed CG animation system.