A system designed to convert English text into a representation of American Sign Language (ASL) is often employed to aid in communication and language learning. This process typically results in a “gloss,” which is a written form of ASL using English words to represent ASL signs, often in a simplified grammatical structure. For example, the English sentence “The dog is running quickly” might be rendered in gloss as “DOG RUN FAST.”
The significance of such a conversion system lies in its potential to bridge communication gaps between English speakers and ASL users. It can facilitate access to information and educational materials for the Deaf community, and conversely, assist hearing individuals in learning and understanding ASL. Historically, the development of these systems has been driven by the need for improved accessibility and the recognition of ASL as a distinct and legitimate language.