Questions and Answers about SignWriter -------------------------------------- >> What is SignWriter? SignWriter is a word processor for writing signed languages. Signs are written in Sign Writing, a graphical alphabet designed to write signed languages. >> What is Sign Writing? Sign Writing is an alphabet - a set of visually designed symbols which can write the movements of any signed language in the world. The Sign Writing alphabet can be compared to the alphabet we use to write English: namely, the Roman alphabet. The Roman alphabet is used to write many different spoken languages. While each language may use a few special symbols, the same basic symbols we use to write English are also used to write Danish, Italian, and Swedish. The Roman alphabet is international, while the languages it writes are not. In the same way, the symbols in the Sign Writing alphabet are international: they can be used to write American Sign Language, Danish Sign Language, Italian Sign Language, Swedish Sign Language - or any other signed language. >> Who uses Sign Writing? Sign Writing is currently used in the Deaf schools of Denmark and Norway to teach sign language. It is also used by linguists in Europe and the United States to develop dictionaries for various signed languages. Denmark uses Sign Writing in a number of different ways. It is used to teach Danish Sign Language to hearing people, including parents of Deaf children and teachers of the Deaf. Participants report that Sign Writing is a great help in learning and remembering vocabulary lists. Sign Writing is also used to teach Danish Sign Language to young Deaf students; these children already know how to sign, but just as hearing children who already speak English still take courses in English, so do these Deaf children study their own native language. Experience has shown that the students find it very easy to understand Sign Writing: they think it is fun to read. Finally, Sign Writing is used to teach Danish to Deaf people. Teachers report that explaining the differences between Danish and Danish Sign Language is much easier when they are able to write both languages on the blackboard. >> Who uses SignWriter? The SignWriter computer program is currently used by people in eleven countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Sweden, UK, and US. Beginners use SignWriter as a learning tool; its unique design simplifies the task of learning the Sign Writing symbols. In addition, SignWriter's built-in sign dictionary contains the most commonly used signs already typed in and ready to use. Experienced SignWriter users gain all the benefits of a true word processor: they can compose and edit Sign Writing text on their computer screen. Dictionary developers use SignWriter to create large, publication-quality sign language dictionaries. >> Will SignWriter work on my computer? SignWriter runs on any IBM PC-compatible computer with 640K bytes of memory, a hard disk, and CGA graphics support. (It also works on Macintoshes with SoftPC.) SignWriter supports Epson-compatible printers, Hewlett-Packard printers, and PostScript printers. >> Where can I get SignWriter? The US version of SignWriter is available as shareware. A voluntary payment of $25 entitles you to technical support and to The Sign Writer, a biannual newsletter that reports on Sign Writing activities around the world. >> Who publishes SignWriter? SignWriter is published by the Deaf Action Committee For Sign Writing (DAC), a group of native Deaf signers, sign language linguists, and software developers dedicated to the development and promotion of Sign Writing. The DAC is sponsored by the Center For Sutton Movement Writing, a non-profit educational organization. >> Will SignWriter teach me sign language? No. SignWriter is designed for people who already know sign language. However, if you're taking sign language classes, SignWriter will be useful as a learning tool: its built-in sign dictionary contains over 1300 ASL signs. >> Will SignWriter teach me Sign Writing? Yes. The shareware package includes Lessons in Sign Writing, a set of files that provide a complete description of the Sign Writing system. A printed version of Lessons in Sign Writing is available from the DAC. Unlike the shareware version, the printed version of Lessons in Sign Writing is visually oriented, and uses a minimum of English text. >> What languages does SignWriter support? SignWriter currently supports the signed languages, finger- spelling, and spoken languages of eleven countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Sweden, UK, and US. Commands can appear on the screen in one of seven different spoken languages: Danish, English, French, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, or Swedish. International versions of SignWriter are available separately from the DAC. >> Where can I learn more about SignWriter? For more information, contact: Deaf Action Committee for Sign Writing P.O. Box 517 La Jolla, CA 92038-0517, USA Voice: (619) 456-0098 Fax: (619) 456-0098 TDD: (619) 456-0010 Internet: 72410.2300@compuserve.com - - - SignWriter and Sign Writing are registered trademarks of the Center For Sutton Movement Writing. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks of their respective companies.