Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language

Details Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language

2009-12-09

arxiv.org/abs/0912.1768v1

Computer Science

Information Theory

8 pages, draft version

Scientific paper

American Sign Language (ASL) uses a series of hand based gestures as a replacement for words to allow the deaf to communicate. Previous work has shown that although it takes longer to make signs than to say the equivalent words, on average sentences can be completed in about the same time. This leaves unresolved, however, precisely why that should be the case. This paper reports a determination of the empirical entropy and redundancy in the set of handshapes of ASL. In this context, the entropy refers to the average information content in a unit of data. It is found that the handshapes, as fundamental units of ASL, are less redundant than phonemes, the equivalent fundamental units of spoken English, and that their entropy is much closer to the maximum possible information content. This explains why the slower signs can produce sentences in the same time as speaking; the low redundancy compensates for the slow rate of sign production. In addition to this precise quantification, this work is also novel in its approach towards quantifying an aspect of the ASL alphabet. Unlike spoken and written languages, frequency analysis of ASL is difficult due to the fact that every sign is composed of phonemes that are created through a combination of manual and a relatively large and imprecise set of bodily features. Focusing on handshapes as the ubiquitous and universal feature of all sign languages permits a precise quantitative analysis. As interest in visual electronic communication explodes within the deaf community, this work also paves the way for more precise automated sign recognition and synthesis.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Frequency of Occurrence and Information Entropy of American Sign Language will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-276305