Video apps facilitate learning African sign languages
For many deaf Ghanaians, Ghanaian Sign Language is their first language. To make sure deaf signers can fully participate in society, more sign language interpreters, deaf school teachers and family members need to be trained. The first vocabulary app -with videos of 1300 signs and their translation in English- makes learning this language more accessible. The app is designed to be used as a supportive tool for courses in Ghanaian Sign Language. It will be used as part of the courses taught at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The app was created by members of the Ghanaian deaf community (Leslie Okyere as IT specialist and Marco Nyarko, Ghanaian Sign Language teacher at University of Ghana Legon), in collaboration with the Leiden HANDS! Lab for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies. Vocabulary apps for Kenyan Sign Language and Langue des Signes Malienne are soon to follow. The apps are part of the project Language Socialization in Deaf Families in Africa, funded by LUF.
