In particular, Malaysians lack awareness of communication with the speech/hearing impaired, especially the deaf. The app would help normal people translate the words they want to communicate with the deaf. This application can also help deaf people to communicate with each other when they are in the community.
The prototype is developed using Netbeans IDE with Android SDK plugins because the application is currently targeted for the Android platform. The basic requirements of the application were based on the research carried out during this study to determine which criteria should be studied and implemented in the application. User testing was done and there were some discussions about the app's images, navigation button, performance, content and features.
Although there were some weaknesses in the developed application, most of the respondents were satisfied with the application.
INTRODUCTION
- Background of Study
- Problem Statement
- Problem Identification
- Significance of the Project
- Objectives and Scope of Study
- Objective
- Scope of Study
- The Relevancy of the Project
- Feasibility of the Project
- Technical feasibility
- Economic feasibility
- Organizational feasibility
For equal rights and opportunities, the public must be alert to sign language to communicate with those who are less fortunate. The most important point is communication using sign language, where this sign language must be used correctly to give the right meaning. Moreover, Sign Language is not easy to trade without learning and needs a reference to trade.
The proposed project is to develop the first mobile application in Malay for sign language. While the target user is among normal people because not all normal people know how to use sign language. Also, there is no sign language learning application for Malay in Google Play unlike American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), Spanish Sign Language (SSL), Greek Sign Language (GSL) and Arabic Sign Language (ArSL).
However, we have to pay some fees to register in the market, but it is worth it as it helps the user to solve the problems related to communication using sign language and at the same time, it increases the awareness for the deaf.
LITERATURE REVIEW
- Sign Language
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Malaysian Sign Language (MySL)
- Communication with Deaf People using Technology
- Introduction the Android Computing Platform
- Mobile Application in Aid for Sign Language Learning
- Sign Language Learning using Voice
Another advance has been the recognition and acceptance of American Sign Language (ASL), not only as the language used by the deaf, but also as a language worthy of formal research. 2004), American Sign Language (ASL) is a fully developed language with a complex grammar. American Sign Language has many grammatical processes like this that use space and movement to show meaningful relationships between signs, while English uses sequential word order. Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=american+sign+language&source. 2008), British Sign Language (BSL) is usually referred to in its abbreviated form of BSL.
The same applies to other countries' sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) and Langue des Signes Francaise (LSF) for French Sign Language. 2008) argued that BSL has been used for hundreds of years but only recognizes it. Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=british+sign+language&tbm. 2012) Malaysian Sign Language (MySL) has been taught in special education schools in Malaysia since its inception in 1998. In fact, the deaf community does not only include hearing people who could communicate using sign language, it also includes hearing parents, siblings. , sign language students, interpreters, teachers, as well as organizations supporting the welfare of the deaf (Dhiya'uddin, S also argued that there are differences in the 'grammar' of Malaysian Sign Language compared to spoken Malay.
In the modern age, deaf people stay in touch with the use of technology and effectively use the telephone line and other bits to communicate with each other or with other people, especially ordinary people. A text phone is a popular piece of equipment used by deaf people to communicate over the phone, as it involves typing and reading rather than relying on speaking or listening to speech. Nowadays, it seems that no one is without a mobile phone, and the deaf are no exception.
Such differences make fax machines a useful piece of technology for deaf people who primarily use sign language to communicate. Deaf people also find emails useful, but writing emails requires a fair amount of knowledge of written English, which can be a barrier for some. So deaf people can use their pen more visually and creatively if they have access to a fax machine.
Unlike email, text phones and texting, deaf people do not need knowledge of the English language to use a webcam or videophone, and this aspect of the technology is great if they prefer to use sign language instead. It is clear that this technology is likely to bring great benefits to deaf sign language users, who are able to contact friends in their first language. Signing Savvy is a sign language dictionary with high-resolution videos of American Sign Language (ASL) signs, fingerspelled words, and other common signs used in the United States and Canada.
According to Foong, O.M., Low, T.J., & La, W.W., (2009), by providing a voice (English) to sign language translation systems using speech and image processing techniques, it can be a solution in the learning process and understanding of the sign language .
METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology
- Planning – Data Gathering
- Analysis – Data Analysis
- Design – Application Development
- Implementation
- Project Activities and Key Milestone
User Requirements Survey – A survey will be conducted on the selected population which consists of students and staff from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). The students and staff of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS represent views from many states in Malaysia; local residence of Bandar Seri Iskandar, regarding the importance of communication between the Deaf person and the normal person. Sample size - The total number of 40 respondents will be used to represent the general population of Perak state, which assumption should be made with care and knowledge about the local social structure.
Sampling Method - Random sampling is a type of non-probability sampling that involves a sample selected from that part of the population that is close. However, since the method is open to tendency bias and does not represent the population as a whole, no general assumption can be made without knowledge of the social structure of the population itself. Questionnaires – the questionnaire will be distributed to respondents who are students and staff of UTP.
The analysis phase is carried out to perform a user needs analysis after collecting data and statistics that determine the requirements of the application. This stage involves analyzing the surveys and interviews conducted among normal people to understand the difficulties they faced in communicating with deaf people. Also for the deaf, the barriers they encounter when they want to communicate with normal people.
This will allow for numerous tests of the product, such as validating the system specifications and requirements, addressing any newly discovered requirements, and uncovering any design flaws. This phase will be continuously repeated for improvement until the prototype meets the requirements and satisfies the developer. The application will not be tested all at the same time, but will be designed and tested in small modules because it is less risky to develop and handle.
After the initial prototype of the application is completed and a significant level of acceptance has been achieved in terms of performance and execution, implementation of the application is carried out with the target user. At the end of this phase, the final product, the system development is complete and the final deliverable of the project makes the project successful.
Gantt Chart
Tools
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
System Design
- Use Case Diagram
- Activity Diagram
- Initial Prototype
By categorizing characters, the user can browse through the categories and learn a more systematic BIM method. By using the Games feature in the app, the user will be able to learn effectively by memorizing the character. If the answer is correct, the sticker below the text box will say 'Correct', otherwise it will show 'Incorrect'.
Discussion of Findings
- Results from the Survey conducted
- User Requirements
- Prototype Improvement
- Structure of Application (Finalised Prototype)
- User Testing
From the survey conducted, based on the user requirements for the application, the application will be developed with colored images to enhance the visual appeal of users. The application will also be developed based on user-friendliness, which will require the layout of the cartoons to be easy on the eye while not confusing the information the signs are trying to convey. From the screenshot above, there were only three pages that the user has to pass to reach the learning page where it gives pleasure to the user.
This is due to the suitability of the user and the color was not too bright. To make the application easy to use, the user just needs to click on the 'Ke belakang' or 'Seterusnya' button to display the image and name of the board. The function button has also been changed, while before the changes the user must click on the button labeled with the name of the categories.
After the changes, the user must click on the image to continue using the application. To launch the application, the user must click on the 'MULA' button. Then the application displays the categories available in the application. To view the content in the available categories, the user can click on the image.
To go to the main page or exit the application, the user can click on the To play the game, user has to enter the answer in the text box and click on the 'HANTAR' button. To continue with the other picture to guess, the user has to click on the 'SETERUSNYA' button.
While on the other aspect, 80% users were satisfied with the navigation button where the buttons are easy to handle, simple and structured. For example, the answer entered by the user matches the image output for game function.
CONCLUSION
Conclusion
Recommendation
2004, Deaf People: Evolving Perspectives in Psychology, Education, and Sociology, New York, John Wiley & Sons. 2012, Flash Card Mobile Application for Malaysian Sign Language, Final Year Thesis, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. 2012, “iMSL: Malay Sign Language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”, Johor Bahru; International conference Knowledge Management.
