Special issue: recent advances in sign language translation and avatar technology

Deafness is not simply a barrier of sound, but also a barrier of language. Those born deaf do not use spoken (or written) language as their primary language, but prefer to use sign language instead [1]. This group faces barriers to education, social services, and employment opportunities because the written form as well as the voiced form of spoken languages is inaccessible [2–5]. Sign language translation and avatar technology has the potential for creating better access to both forms of spoken language. This collected volume is based on presentations given at the symposium ‘‘Sign Language Translation and Avatar Technology (SLTAT),’’ held in October 2013 at DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA. These articles represent many of the major areas of effort currently being undertaken by researchers in this discipline. These include machine translation, improved methods for capturing and editing of signed corpora for generating animation, systems for improved display of signed animation, and evaluation of signing produced via avatar display.