Sign Language for All
We as humans are wired to automate our behavior. In fact this automatic actions free up our brains so that we can concentrate on daily business that are not predictable. For instance people do not usually think about the act of speech, of eating, walking, or driving to a place of work (sometimes). By doing these deeds over and over again, we have carved a well worn path in our synapses. These paths are so commonly used that little or no thinking is required. As such, these actions become automatic or second nature.When we are confronted with an anomaly, things change. Something as simple as talking becomes as activity to think about, if we happen to be in a situation where new vocabularies are required. A given environment may require a certain decorum - our speaking habit would probably be disrupted, as a result. This is the case when you, unknowingly, speak to a co-worker or neighbour, only to find out that the person is deaf.
Unless you have spent some time learning and practicing sign-language, you will most likely feel lost. In case you do understand sign language, there are many different versions of it to choose from (depending on your region). Furthermore, there are formal ways of signing, there are slang words, there are age related communication. Deaf culture is an entire world in itself. Chances are you probably know little about all this - unless you are part of the Deaf Community.
Thanks to innovative minds at the University of Houston in Texas; there is a new invention to help this situation. The device called MyVoice converts voice to sign-language, and sign-language into voice. This device, which fits into a human hand uses audio and video technology to relate communication between the deaf and the non-deaf.
MyVoice is wired to detect, recognize and translate signs into their corresponding voice equivalent. The same is done with voice; and the signed meaning is played on the monitor of MyVoice. This invention is still in the early stages. Application for a wider array of uses is being developed at the moment. For those of us who believe in bridging the communication gap, here is a golden opportunity to contribute to such an innovative project.
Website: www.uh.edu
Contact: pemery@uh.edu
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