Hello to all...I'm new to this list...

[Valerie Sutton]

SignWriting List
July 22, 2005

Hello Adam!
Thanks for this interesting message below. You have informed me about  
a world I am not that familiar with...the world of tactile  
communication...I hope you will keep in touch with us, from time to  
time, to tell us how you are doing...

Your wish to eliminate spoken languages is interesting! I doubt if  
spoken languages will go away in this big world of ours, but there is  
no reason, that we cannot read and write movement-based languages  
now, so at least those who choose to use a signed language, whether  
it be tactile or not, do have a way to communicate in written form  
now, as well as in one-on-one conversations...So SignWriting gives  
many people who prefer signed languages, a real tool to use daily.

I hope that anyone interested in developing SignWriting in mobile  
devices and/or assistive devices, will contact Adam for input...

Thanks for writing, Adam!

Val ;-)

----------------------

> On Jul 22, 2005, at 9:01 AM, skoreapv83 at fuse.net wrote:
> My visual & tactile systems work very well together, so while I was  
> learning sign visually, every sign went into my tactile memory  
> simultaneously. I tried reading tactile signs for the first time on  
> Wednesday, February 26, 2003 @ 7:12PM & was STUNNED by the increase  
> in clarity. Also, tactile signing is NOT that different from visual  
> signing; only a few signs must be adjusted so they're easier to  
> feel. Usually it's the palm orientation parameter that is changed,  
> but absolutely ANY parameter of a sign may be modified to make it  
> easier to feel. Unfortunately, no, I do NOT have a video clip.  
> Wished I had made one when I was with the Deaf-Blind 2 years ago so  
> you could watch how we signed into each other's hands AND so  
> everyone else I know could see for themselves why I feel so LOVED  
> by my Deaf-Blind friends.
>
> Yes, I do believe SignWriting will help, because signing gives me a  
> sense of security, & writing or speaking words takes it right back  
> away.
>
> Yes, a tactile mobile device IS different from a regular one. One  
> example is a Braille notetaker, because one does NOT look @ it or  
> listen to it; he/she touches it & feels it. I think a mobile device  
> with a haptic screen would be able to display embossed SignWriting,  
> but I'm NOT sure. (FYI: many people are unfamiliar w/the word  
> haptic; it means tactile but has the extended meaning of describing  
> a person who has a strong predilection for his/her sense of touch.)
>
> I did NOT believe SignWriting was that easy to program & was NOT  
> expecting immediate freedom from words by brand new tactile  
> technology employing SignWriting.
>
> As for the translation issue, I just mentioned that because here in  
> Cincinnati the ignorance problem is only growing. I would love to  
> see it happen someday that signers & non-signers can communicate  
> through an assistive device until your SignWriting takes over & at  
> least America, if NOT the whole world, does away with spoken  
> language. More & more people are deeming spoken language unreliable  
> for communication because the words have several unrelated meanings  
> & competing sounds are getting louder & louder everywhere.
>
> I definitely plan on staying up-to-date on the research regarding  
> SignWriting. Maybe I could submit some helpful information to  
> researchers to speed up the process of making the technology I'm  
> imagining.
>
> In the mean time, I'll continue looking for an organization who'd  
> be willing to buy Braille notetaker for me. Otherwise, I'll have to  
> be out of communications because my eyes get tired so fast & I have  
> more trouble speaking & understanding speech than writing words.
>
> Later,
>
> Adam Paul Valerius