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From:
"Angus B. Grieve-Smith" Date: Fri Jul 27, 2001 10:57 am Subject: Typing and other input | |
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It's interesting that in fact, inputing signs into a computer is a whole different problem from the actual writing. Writing systems that use the Roman alphabet have the ability to borrow from spoken-language typing systems, but others do it differently. In addition to inventing SignWriting, Valerie (with Richard Gleaves's help) also invented a way to type. Typing is a controversial thing for spoken languages as well, as you can see from this web page: <https://www.catskill.net/evolution/typing/>. In fact, the current QWERTY keyboard layout that is used in English-speaking countries was designed to be INefficient, to slow down a typist, so that the typewriter letters wouldn't collide as often! And now it's become so popular that people just keep using it. On one level this means that habits will usually outdo technology: as long as people are used to something they will keep using it, even though it was designed to be inefficient! But when you introduce a new technology, it's the best time to do it as well as you can. What I also find interesting is that there's a whole group of ergonomics professionals who work to make technology easier for people. I'd hope that one of these ergonomics people has a chance to at least consult on any new typing system for sign languages. I imagine that there would be some who are willing to donate their time. I had a discussion about this issue with Antonio Carlos when we met in April. He said that he feels the best way to get SignWriting into a computer is to draw it with a tablet and do optical character recognition. I disagree, but I think the idea is worth notice. -- -Angus B. Grieve-Smith Linguistics Department University of New Mexico |
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