Speakers
Description
The purpose of the presentation is to explore the design and development of an innovative online pedagogical dictionary of Greek Sign Language, specifically tailored to the linguistic and educational needs of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) learners in Greece. Emphasizing accessibility and pedagogical usability, the dictionary integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to support multimodal interaction and facilitate bilingual proficiency in both Greek and Greek Sign Language (GSL).
Implemented as a web-based platform, the dictionary ensures broad accessibility for secondary and tertiary-level students through an intuitive, learner-centered interface. Key features include:
• An interactive chatbot, enabling users to ask questions via either spoken/written Greek or sign language, receiving responses in both modalities.
• AI-assisted exercise generation, which adapts vocabulary and grammar tasks based on individual learner profiles and performance metrics.
• Neural-network-based text-to-sign translation modules, allowing for real-time rendering of written Greek input into Greek Sign Language.
The presentation is structured in three main parts: it begins with a discussion on the significance of inclusive lexicography and the imperative to develop language resources that address the accessibility needs of diverse user groups. It then outlines the lexicographic protocol adopted for compiling the dictionary, followed by an in-depth description of the platform’s functionalities. The final section analyzes the integration of AI technologies and their role in enhancing both linguistic accessibility and pedagogical personalization.
The contribution of the paper is twofold: first, it provides a concrete model of inclusive digital lexicography for sign languages; second, it highlights how AI can be leveraged not merely as a technical enhancement, but as a transformative tool in promoting equitable access to language resources for underrepresented communities.
