Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

2012

Publisher

John Benjamins Publishing

Source Publication

Sign Language and Linguistics

Source ISSN

1387-9316

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1075/sll.15.1.03ecc

Abstract

In sign language research, we understand little about articulatory factors involved in shaping phonemic boundaries or the amount (and articulatory nature) of acceptable phonetic variation between handshapes. To date, there exists no comprehensive analysis of handshape based on the quantitative measurement of joint angles during sign production. The purpose of our work is to develop a methodology for collecting and visualizing quantitative handshape data in an attempt to better understand how handshapes are produced at a phonetic level. In this pursuit, we seek to quantify the flexion and abduction angles of the finger joints using a commercial data glove (CyberGlove; Immersion Inc.). We present calibration procedures used to convert raw glove signals into joint angles. We then implement those procedures and evaluate their ability to accurately predict joint angle. Finally, we provide examples of how our recording techniques might inform current research questions.

Comments

Accepted version. Sign Language and Linguistics, Vol. 15, No. 1 (2012): 39-72. DOI. © 2012 John Benjamins Publishing. Used with permission.

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