home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Monster Media 1994 #1
/
monster.zip
/
monster
/
WP
/
SW42A.ZIP
/
SWINFO.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-02-01
|
6KB
|
169 lines
Questions and Answers about SignWriter
--------------------------------------
>> What is SignWriter?
SignWriter is a word processor for writing signed languages.
Signs are written in Sign Writing, a graphical alphabet designed
to write signed languages.
>> What is Sign Writing?
Sign Writing is an alphabet - a set of visually designed symbols
which can write the movements of any signed language in the
world.
The Sign Writing alphabet can be compared to the alphabet we use
to write English: namely, the Roman alphabet. The Roman alphabet
is used to write many different spoken languages. While each
language may use a few special symbols, the same basic symbols we
use to write English are also used to write Danish, Italian, and
Swedish. The Roman alphabet is international, while the
languages it writes are not.
In the same way, the symbols in the Sign Writing alphabet are
international: they can be used to write American Sign Language,
Danish Sign Language, Italian Sign Language, Swedish Sign
Language - or any other signed language.
>> Who uses Sign Writing?
Sign Writing is currently used in Deaf schools in Denmark and
Norway to teach sign language. It is also used by linguists in
Europe and the United States to develop dictionaries for various
signed languages.
Denmark uses Sign Writing in a number of different ways. It is
used to teach Danish Sign Language to hearing people, including
parents of Deaf children and teachers of the Deaf. Participants
report that Sign Writing is a great help in learning and
remembering vocabulary lists.
Sign Writing is also used to teach Danish Sign Language to young
Deaf students; these children already know how to sign, but just
as hearing children who already speak English still take courses
in English, so do these Deaf children study their own native
language. Experience has shown that the students find it very
easy to understand Sign Writing: they think it is fun to read.
Finally, Sign Writing is used to teach Danish to Deaf people.
Teachers report that explaining the differences between Danish
and Danish Sign Language is much easier when they are able to
write both languages on the blackboard.
>> Who uses SignWriter?
The SignWriter computer program is currently used by people in
eleven different countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland,
Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Sweden, UK, and US.
Beginners use SignWriter as a learning tool; its unique design
simplifies the task of learning the Sign Writing symbols. In
addition, SignWriter's built-in sign dictionary contains the most
commonly used signs already typed in and ready to use.
Experienced SignWriter users gain all the benefits of a true word
processor: they can compose and edit Sign Writing text on their
computer screen.
Dictionary developers use SignWriter to create large,
publication-quality sign language dictionaries.
>> Will SignWriter work on my computer?
SignWriter runs on any IBM PC-compatible computer with 640K bytes
of memory, a hard disk, and CGA graphics support. (It also works
on Macintoshes with SoftPC.) SignWriter supports Epson-compatible
printers, Hewlett-Packard printers, and PostScript printers.
>> Where can I get SignWriter?
The US version of SignWriter is available at no cost on the
CompuServe computer network and on various computer bulletin-board
systems. A voluntary payment of $25 entitles you to technical
support and to The Sign Writer, a biannual newsletter that reports
on Sign Writing activities around the world.
>> Who publishes SignWriter?
SignWriter is published by the Deaf Action Committee For Sign
Writing (DAC), a group of native Deaf signers, sign language
linguists, and software developers dedicated to the development
and promotion of Sign Writing. The DAC is sponsored by the
Center For Sutton Movement Writing, a non-profit educational
organization.
>> Will SignWriter teach me sign language?
No. SignWriter is designed for people who already know sign
language. However, if you're taking sign language classes,
SignWriter will be useful as a learning tool: its built-in sign
dictionary contains over 1300 ASL signs.
>> Will SignWriter teach me Sign Writing?
Yes. The shareware package includes Lessons in Sign Writing, a
set of files that provide a complete description of the Sign
Writing system.
A printed version of Lessons in Sign Writing is available from
the DAC. Unlike the shareware version, the printed version of
Lessons in Sign Writing is visually oriented, and uses a minimum
of English text.
>> What languages does SignWriter support?
SignWriter currently supports the signed languages, finger-
spelling, and spoken languages of eleven countries: Belgium,
Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway,
Sweden, UK, and US. Commands can appear on the screen in one of
seven different spoken languages: Danish, English, French,
Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, or Swedish. International versions
of SignWriter are available separately from the DAC.
>> Where can I learn more about SignWriter?
For more information, contact:
Deaf Action Committee for Sign Writing
P.O. Box 517
La Jolla, CA 92038-0517, USA
Voice: (619) 456-0098
Fax: (619) 456-0098
TDD: (619) 456-0010
Internet: 72410.2300@compuserve.com
- - -
SignWriter and Sign Writing are registered trademarks of the
Center For Sutton Movement Writing. Other brand and product
names are registered trademarks of their respective companies.