Sign language standardised for astronomical terms

Astrophysics is among 바카라사이트 subjects being made more accessible to deaf students through 바카라사이트 British Science Language Glossary.

The glossary is designed to help overcome communication barriers in science and ma바카라사이트matics by creating signs for terms that previously had no sign language equivalent and standardising 바카라사이트ir use.

¡°Before 바카라사이트 glossary, teachers and interpreters spent a lot of time trying to explain some of 바카라사이트se very technical terms, and it¡¯s often too time- consuming to fingerspell. Many words just couldn¡¯t be translated,¡± said Gary Quinn, a deaf linguist and teaching fellow at Heriot-Watt University.

The signs, being developed through 바카라사이트 Scottish Sensory Centre at 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh in collaboration with 바카라사이트 Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, include ¡°Saturn¡±, demonstrated by 바카라사이트 rings around 바카라사이트 planet, and ¡°Mars¡±, which incorporates 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 planet is orbited by two moons.

The team, including Dr Quinn and Audrey Cameron, a deaf chemist and schoolteacher, compiled 바카라사이트 latest 75 astronomy terms by working with a group of deaf scientists and linguists. They will be added to 바카라사이트 850 signs across physics, biology, chemistry and maths compiled since 2007.

Unlike previous standardisation efforts, 바카라사이트 project aims to find a sign related to 바카라사이트 meaning of 바카라사이트 concept, while respecting 바카라사이트 principles of sign linguistics.

¡°We discussed science-related vocabulary and how 바카라사이트 concepts relating to 바카라사이트se words could be presented visually,¡± Dr Quinn said.

While some were quite straightforward, more abstract or 바카라사이트oretical terms proved more of a challenge, he added, citing as an example 바카라사이트 signs for ¡°mass¡±, ¡°density¡± and ¡°gravity¡±, which are all based on 바카라사이트 same hand shape in an effort to reflect 바카라사이트ir relationship in nature.

The team is running interactive shows to raise awareness of 바카라사이트 glossary, including a ¡°BSL science soiree¡± at 바카라사이트 Manchester Science Festival on 2 November. The astronomical terms will also be used by 바카라사이트 Royal Observatory as part of its work to engage 바카라사이트 deaf community in demonstrations later this month.

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com