A theory-driven model of handshape similarity

Bibliographic Data

ID20399747
AuthorsJonathan Keane (University of Chicago, corresponding author), Zed Sevcikova Sehyr (0000-0001-7912-5428, San Diego State University, corresponding author), Karen Emmorey (0000-0002-5647-0066, San Diego State University, corresponding author), D Brentari (0000-0002-1233-8688, University of Chicago, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume34
Issue2
Pages221-241
Publication date2017-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhonology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0952-6757 • E-ISSN: 1469-8188
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0952675717000124
OpenAlexW2750025967
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited27

Following the Articulatory Model of Handshape (Keane 2014), which mathematically defines handshapes on the basis of joint angles, we propose two methods for calculating phonetic similarity: a contour difference method, which assesses the amount of change between handshapes within a fingerspelled word, and a positional similarity method, which compares similarity between pairs of letters in the same position across two fingerspelled words. Both methods are validated with psycholinguistic evidence based on similarity ratings by deaf signers. The results indicate that the positional similarity method more reliably predicts native signer intuition judgements about handshape similarity. This new similarity metric fills a gap in the literature (the lack of a theory-driven similarity metric) that has been empty since effectively the beginning of sign-language linguistics

Cognitive science · Intuition · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Similitude · Computer Science · Hand Gesture Recognition Systems · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Mathematics · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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