Abstract：Signing avatar represents an advancement in AI avatar technology, enhancing information accessibility for the deaf individuals. This innovation has garnered wide attention home and abroad and has been implemented in various domains such as television news, public services, major events, and educational settings for the deaf. This paper reviews the current situation of the signing avatar industry in China, highlighting its peculiar predicament of being acknowledged primarily by external observers while negatively reacted by deaf communities and sign language interpretation industry. The sector grapples with several challenges: the distinctive aspects of sign language are often overlooked by the researchers/developers; there is a scarcity of accessible high-quality sign language datasets; and the current technological solutions do not fully meet the requirements of the deaf community. This paper proposes that it is imperative to establish regulations for the industry, be vigilant of potential ethical concerns, address the specific needs of deaf individuals, and foster international partnerships to promote the industry’s sustainable development.
郑 璇. 手语数字人研发现状与思考[J]. 语言战略研究, 2024, 9(3): 17-28.
Zheng Xuan. The Development of Signing Avatars: Current Situation and Reflections. , 2024, 9(3): 17-28.
