Croatian sign language on the Internet

Author : Jerko Ban, SJ
Date added : 2000-08-28

Brief Project Background

This is a joint project of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Society of Jesus and CARNet.
The project “Croatian Sign Language on the Internet” was originally a part of the project “Liturgy in Sign Language”. Project started some 18 months ago and so far our sign language dictionary consists of more than 500 terms, which makes our site one of the biggest online sign language dictionaries in the world. We were probably the first who started to use video clips with MPEG4 compression. Also we have more than 300 pages of text on different topics like education and culture of deaf persons, cochlear implant etc. We consider this to be a valuable source of information for the parents of deaf children.

Results

Our Goals

Our primary goal was to present the richness and beauty of the Croatian Sign Language (CSL) and to make available articles on deafness and deaf persons as well as the Croslan dictionary on the Internet.
We would also like to make a tribute to standardization and acknowledgement of the Croatian Sign Language because sign language (SL) is still not standardized and fully acknowledged in Croatia. Furthermore, we would like to demonstrate how sign language could be learned and used on the Internet.

Others important indirect goals are: to contribute to the process of creating bilingual school system for the deaf, promote Croatian Sign Language, support linguist researches of Croatian Sign Language and help creating professional interpreter services. Furthermore, cooperation with the Deaf Community and individuals was an important issue since we would like to empower deaf people to cope with their own problems and, as the result of that, to help them build up their self-esteem.

Background

There is a strong and rigid oral tradition in Croatian schools for the deaf and sign language is considered an obstacle because the ideology of the oral schools is still based on the "pathological model" and idea of inclusion (which is, of course a god idea, but it is hardly ever the result of oral education). The result of that policy is low self-esteem of the deaf people who cannot communicate on a satisfactory level with the hearing majority and a degrading view of the hearing people on the deaf people who use sign language. In such a situation parents of deaf children seldom get information on positive role of the sign language. We wanted to make clear that the ”cultural view” on Deaf people should be supported.

Sign Language on Internet
There are quite a few sites on sign language and Deaf culture on Internet but there are still only a few sites with sign language dictionaries. The reason is specific nature of the sign language - it is a visual language and it is therefore pretty complicated to create a dictionary. Nevertheless, there are a couple of online sign language dictionaries that are constantly growing and among them is the Croatian sign language dictionary as well.

Similar projects on www:
http://www.bconnex.net/~randys;
http://www.multicom.com/cdjg/asl;
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/p.mortlock/index2.htm
http://bonucci.univ-lyon2.fr/home/lsf-univ-lyonII.html
http://www.sign-lang.uni-hamburg.de/projects/PsychLex.html

The Lessons:

Planning
How can you start a multimedia project if you do not have any financial support? Well, we relayed on enthusiasm and voluntary work and it’s been working! At the time we started the project CARNet, our partner organisation, had financial difficulties and therefore we couldn’t have relied on them. So we used the PCs and still digital camera of the Faculty of the Philosophy of the Society of Jesus, our own PCs and sometimes even our own pocket money.

None of us was an ICT expert, nor a programmer or a Webmaster so we started to search the Net for all the information we needed. We also consulted our friend and acquaintances.

It took us a week to create the first animated gif, but in the meantime we learned how to set the light in the room so that we don’t have to use flash (it saves a lot of time if you take a large number of pictures). Moreover, we learned how to automate picture processing by recording a set of actions and how to create as small animated gif as possible providing that the final “product” is of a satisfactory quality.

Starting
Our idea was to start by building a thematic dictionary and to make available full sentences or stories in sign language. In the first six months we have built a dictionary with around 250 signs that are used in religious services and prayers and we created web pages with the introductory part of mess and the prayer “Our Father” in sign language. We also created a web page with a collection of articles on sign language, Deaf culture, cochlear implant, bilingual education, as well as the UN resolution 48/96 and a few other documents that concern people who are challenged in different ways. We especially valued the articles written by the deaf people who write about themselves, their challenges, families, friend and everyday life.
During the following 6 months we have created another 250 signs and added a number of new articles.

Cooperation
Furthermore, if you are planning to start a project intended to help group of people who are considered underprivileged you better NOT come to them with readymade solutions trying to “save” them. For our project team finding Deaf people who are willing to cooperate was essential, it meant including the Deaf in every step of our way to reach the final goal: choosing the signs, taking pictures, writing and translating articles and designing the web site.

Technology
At the end of year 1999 when we first started planning how to create the Croslan Online Dictionary we considered different possibilities like using video clips in avi or QuickTime format, and alternatively animated gifs. We decided that animated gifs would be the best solution because they are much smaller files than those in avi and QuickTime format and for that reason much more suitable for the Internet. Furthermore, the connectivity of our institution was very low (33.6 kbps) and the average connectivity of the end users in Croatia is 22.8 - 56 kbps. So at the begging we were taking pictures with a digital still camera and then created animated gifs.

A year after we started with the project, we were again in a dilemma because we were considering switching to the video clips in avi format with mpeg 4 compression trying to create a more interactive dictionary. It meant that we could film signs and sentences, which we could also use for our next project: multimedia CD-ROM with interactive dictionary and courseware. In addition, using one video clip was obviously much easier than multiplying animated gifs to create a sentence in sign language.
Moreover, in the meantime CARNet decided to advance our connectivity to 2 Mbps and avi files with MPEG4 compression have demonstrated very good results considering picture quality and size. So, taking into account all the facts, we decided to switch completely to the video clips

Motivation
Working on a project that is targeting a small group of people in a small country means that you will have to relay on the enthusiasm much more than on the financial support, but it also means that the result of the work will be much more appreciated by those who are involved in the project. We were learning together how to solve problems, how to be more efficient and how to use the technology in the best possible way. This project wouldn’t have been realized without the love, friendship and help of the Deaf.

What have we learned?
Considering the current circumstances, the time limit for completing an Internet project that includes multimedia is two years at most, as the technology and software are developing so fast that projects go out of date if it takes too long a period to complete them.
The lexical part of the project (creating the dictionary) is less tricky than creating full sentences in SL, because isolated signs do not depend so much on facial expressions.
Switching from animated gifs to video clips was a real dilemma because of many factors like for example compatibility and further development of the MPEG4 format. It was a test of our flexibility and ability to adopt new technology and we thing we took the right move.
Our long-term goals: using video clips and creating a more interactive dictionary, are partly reliant to financing, overall standards in Croatia and higher speed of our server.
The Internet is the ideal media for deaf people because of the possibility to communicate in visual way and we believe that our project gives a good example how multimedia could be used for educational purposes. We also believe that our project can serve as a good example for the others who are planning to start a project that includes ICT.

In conclusion

Sign language is a beautiful language of a beautiful people. Creating an online sign language dictionary is a complex and time-consuming task, but we believe that it is worth trying because it has a lot to do with human rights, respect and breaking prejudices. If you are planning to star an ICT project but you are worried because you don’t have experience or necessary knowledge don’t give up because when there is a will there is a way!
We hope that the texts on our web site will help the parents of deaf children, and all those who are interested in helping the Deaf, broaden their perspectives and learn more about the Deaf world.

Results
Besides relatively high number of hits, considerable number of people contacted us inquiring for a possibility to get the dictionary on CD-ROM and printouts of the articles partly because our low bandwidth, and partly because not everybody has a computer with Internet access. Indirect results are the media attention and opportunity to send our message even though we haven’t had almost any official presentation of the project for wider community. Nevertheless, the awards we have received (University of Zagreb Rector’s Award for the best student work, the award for the best presentation and a Special Mention of the Jury at the last year CARNet Users Conference), including being one of the finalists of the Stockholm Challenge Award, gave as a significant boost. When we have a chance to speak in public (on TV, radio) or for newspapers about the project we always stress the importance of the sign language for deaf children, and, on the whole, we tray to create a more positive attitude about deaf people, sign language, Deaf culture and people with disabilities in general. We believe we already made some progress to a more positive attitude towards sign language and Deaf culture, and a higher self-esteem of deaf people (especially those who are directly involved with the project).
Furthermore, even though while working on the project we have all learned a lot about ICT in general, our most valuable experience is learning from each other. In a non-profit project like ours shearing and mutual enrichment is the biggest reward.
From technical part of view
We have reached our short-term goals: giving an example of how computers and the Internet can be used in education, and how multimedia can make things more efficient, interesting and, all things considered, more advanced. Our long-term goals considering technology: using video clips and creating a more interactive dictionary are reliant to financing and overall technology standards.
Now we have more than 500 signs including some full sentences and idioms.

More info

Our project has brought together a group of professionals and deaf people who are interested in finding solution to a very difficult situation in education of deaf people in Croatian (consequence of the long period of extreme oralizam). The animated dictionary is one of the kind in Croatia, one of a few in world and the first that includes video clips with MPEG4 compression. We are also pioneers in presenting news in sign language on the Internet.

Organizations

Faculty of the Philosophy of the Society of Jesus
The Faculty of Philosophy of the Society of Jesus in Zagreb continues the Jesuit tradition in teaching philosophy in Zagreb, dating from November 6, 1662 with the establishment of Philosophical Studies at the College of Zagreb, considered by many as the foundation of the later University of Zagreb.
Starting with the academic year 1993/94 the Faculty offers two-main courses, i. e. A. - Study of Philosophy and B. - Study of Religious Culture. These comprise of four year studies with eight semesters and educate students for the profession of secondary school teaching in the fields of philosophy and religious culture. These courses are especially suitable for students not intending to study theology. The Senate of the University of Zagreb 1994 passed the resolution by which both courses at our Faculty were integrated as part of the Studia Croatica of the University of Zagreb and on November 24, 1995 the Rules of these Studies were accepted.
The principal aim of our Faculty is to promote philosophical studies through a) scientific study of philosophical problems, b) systematic teaching of various branches of philosophical reflection and c) preparation of students for work in education and research in the field of philosophy. The objective of the Study of Religious Culture is to educate students for scientific work on religious issues.
The staff and the students of the Faculty participate at different projects that include ICT and are especially concerned about the issues of human rights, social justice, interreligious dialog, tolerance and international cooperation.

CARNet
Among other activities Croatian Academic and Research Network - CARNet initiates and supports pilot projects as test bed for implementation of information technology in different fields of human activity. Pilot projects are being carried out in co-operation with one ore more member institutions of CARNet. This provides resources from both sides: funds, equipment and expertise in information technology from CARNet and specialized knowledge in the area of work of member institution.
More about the Background

In recent years (beginning as early as 1980 with increased awareness of and acceptance of Sign Language) it has become clear that one can adopt either of two opposing perspectives when interacting with the Deaf Community. While these perspectives have been given different names or labels by different authors and researchers, we will refer to the differing perspectives as the "pathological model" and the "cultural model." It is essential to understand which of these perspectives you might hold for each results in vastly different way of dealing with and treating the Deaf Community. Indeed, the first perspective, at least in some of its extreme manifestations, would seek to deny the very existence of the Deaf Community.

The "pathological" view of Deaf people has also been called the Clinical-Pathological view or the Medical Model. Essentially this view accepts the behaviors and values of people who can hear as "standard" or "the norm" and then focuses on how Deaf people deviate from that norm. Those who hold a pathological view might define the Deaf Community as:

• a group of people whose hearing loss interferes with the normal reception of speech;
• 
  
• a group of people who have learning and psychological problems due to their hearing loss and their perceived communication difficulties;
• 
  
• a group of people who are not "normal" because they cannot hear.

The "pathological" view stands in sharp contrast to the view based on linguistic and sociological research findings which is the cultural view. The cultural view recognizes that there is a complex set of factors that must be considered when examining the Deaf Community. Indeed, it is this very fact that makes defining the Deaf Community a complex task. Those who hold a cultural view might define the
Deaf Community as:

• a group of persons who share a common means of communication (sign language) that provides the basis for group cohesion and identity;
• 
  
• a group of persons who share a common language (ASL) and a common culture; those whose primary means of relating to the world is visual and who share a language that is visually received and gesturally produced

Deciding which view of Deaf people you hold is crucial for it will, in large measure, determine the relationship you have to and with the Deaf Community. Your attitudes towards the Community's language and its culture determine your perspective towards Deaf people. You will hold either a medical/pathological or cultural view of the Deaf Community.
Our project is based on a cultural and linguistic perspective of Deaf people.

Bilingual Education and SL
Every deaf child, whatever the level of his/her hearing loss, should have the right to grow up bilingual. By knowing and using both a sign language and an oral language (in its written and, when possible, in its spoken modality), the child will attain his/her full cognitive, linguistic and social capabilities.
Bilingualism is the knowledge and regular use of two or more languages. A sign language - oral language bilingualism is the only way that the deaf child will meet his/her needs, that is, communicate early with his/her parents, develop his/her cognitive abilities, acquire knowledge of the world, communicate fully with the surrounding world, and acculturate into the world of the hearing and of the Deaf.

The bilingualism of the deaf child will involve the sign language used by the Deaf community and the oral language used by the hearing majority. The latter language will be acquired in its written, and if possible, in its spoken modality. Depending on the child, the two languages will play different roles: some children will be dominant in sign language, others will be dominant in the oral language, and some will be balanced in their two languages.

Other project we are working on:

• The Home Page of the Croatian Association of the Deafblind “Touch” (http://www.ffdi.hr/dodir/).
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• We participate at the organization of the international symposium “Sign Language and Deaf Culture” which will take palace in Zagreb next year (http://www.ffdi.hr/slsymposium/).
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• We are building Croatian Deaf Portal (www.ffdi.hr/croceafweb/) that will in future incorporate all the materials that already exist plus news on sign language, chat rooms, discussion groups and information on different Deaf and Deafblind manifestations and association.
• 
  
• We are planning to open a computer workshop for the Deaf with Internet access where we will organize different ICT courses. The final goal is to train Deaf trainers and to organize a group of Deaf people who will be involved in current and future ICT projects. We would also like to instruct Deaf people how to run their own project.

Project Information

Total budget in US$ : -
Country of activity: Croatia [Hrvatska]; [HR]

Contact Information

Jerko Ban, SJ

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