By Chad Watkins
A great number of jobs require some form of
communication with the public. Being a teller at a bank, working the
cash register at the mall, and working the ticket terminal at the
airport are a few examples. Jobs like these, while plentiful to
most, are unavailable to members of the Deaf community since they
are unable to communicate by sound. To work such positions, a
translator would need to be present at all times to translate the
questions and answers. Since translators cost a lot of money, people
that are Deaf stick to jobs that don’t require a lot of social
interaction with the non-Deaf community.
However, dedicated researchers in China have
developed a prototype system that not only understands the gestures
of sign language, but will also translate them. Backed by Microsoft
Research, developers call this the Kinect Sign Language Translator.
The Kinect Translator looks like a small rectangle the size of a TV
remote controller. It not only contains a camera and microphone, but
also an infrared emitter and depth sensor. The operation of the
system is very simple. A person simply signs toward a camera and the
computer, using 3D and motion recognition, identifies the signs and
not only translates into written words (displayed on the screen) but
also plays an audio via speakers. A hearing person is able to speak
normally, their voice is picked up by the computer’s microphone, and
an avatar on the computer signs back to the Deaf person. (Microsoft
2013)
The Kinect Sign Language Translator has been
operational since November of 2010 (Microsoft 2013). It is very
simple to use. You simply need to plug in the sensor, install the
software, and start signing! The cost is around $250 for the sensor
and software. Some make the claim that the system is expensive
because it needs to go on each register station. While at an average
grocery store with nine registers the cost would be $2,250, but just
think of your average Target store that has over 20 registers! With
1,797 stores in the United States alone (Target 2013), it would cost
Target over $9 million; and then there’s the maintenance cost.
However since it’s backed by Microsoft, we can expect great quality,
good resources, and could argue the many benefits between the Deaf
community and the retailer.
One benefit obviously would be to open up a new
variety of jobs to the Deaf community. In a typical scenario one is
at an airport terminal, ready to rent a car. This can be very
stressful to anyone new to the area. They go to the rental car
agency where one person is either asking for information by signing
or is giving out information by signing (Microsoft 2013). Both would
be able to communicate in their normal manner thanks to the
Translator and all parties would feel less stressed in a potential
stressful situation. However, benefits are not limited to a work
standard. The Kinect Translator could also be used at a doctor’s
office. Instead of having to go to a special doctor, or waiting for
special aid, doctors can install the Kinect system and easily
communicate with patients (Microsoft 2013).
The only question about the system though is
its effect on the Deaf community. Will this device truly benefit the
Deaf? Will this device force them into the world of the hearing? Or
will this help the hearing to view the Deaf in a different light?
This device could have the ability to help the hearing understand
the Deaf and their culture. Instead of pitying them and trying to
“fix” them to make them “normal”, the hearing world may accept the
Deaf as “normal” since members of the Deaf community do not see
themselves as disabled or unfortunate. This machine could allow them
easier access to opportunities that hearing people have, while not
being forced to “fit in”. New doors could be opened up, thanks to a
simple translator.
References
N.p.: Target, 2013. N. pag. Web. 7 Jan. 2013.
<http://pressroom.target.com/corporate>.
N.p.: Microsoft, 2013. N. pag. Web. 7 Jan.
2013. <http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/stories/kinect-sign-language-translator.aspx>.
N.p.: Microsoft, 2013. N. pag. Web. 7 Jan.
2013. <http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=204170>.
N.p.: Microsoft, 2013. N. pag. Web. 7 Jan.
2013. <http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Kinect-for-Windows/productID.253758600>.
Clayton, Steve. N.p.: Microsoft, 2013. N. pag.
Web. 7 Jan. 2013. <http://blogs.technet.com/b/next/archive/2013/10/30/sign-language-translator-uses-kinect-as-a-bridge-between-the-deaf-and-hearing.aspx#.UzTvUblOWUk>.
Article Author: Chad Watkins
Submission Date: March 2014
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