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Cross-Sign Language Transfer Learning Using Domain Adaptation with Multi-scale Temporal Alignment

  • 1230: Sentient Multimedia Systems and Visual Intelligence
  • Published:
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Abstract

Sign language serves as a vital means of communication for individuals with hearing impairments, yet recognition resources for the over 100 distinct sign languages are severely lacking. In response, we present our work on sign language recognition using transfer learning and the domain adaptation method TA3N, which utilizes the Temporal Relational Network (TRN) module for aligning multi-scale temporal relations. Our findings highlight the superior performance of Domain Adaptation to neural network-based transfer learning, particularly in improving recognition of American Sign Language (ASL). Our research also identifies the effectiveness of aligning shorter-term temporal features between source and target domains. In addition to using RGB, we conducted experiments using Optical Flow mode for the sign language samples, ultimately determining that RGB outperforms Optical Flow in the majority of cases. Our work aims to improve accessibility and communication for individuals who rely on sign language as their primary mode of communication.

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Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in these published articles [2, 4, 26,27,28] (and its supplementary information files). The subsets we used are detailed in Section 4.1. For additional guidance on extracting the subsets from their originating datasets, please contact the authors.

Code Availability

The codes used for domain adaptation are based on TA3N [24]. Our modification includes setting the batch size to 20, the mode of learning to supervised learning, and the value of num_segments to the N-multiscale TRN. The codes for converting videos into RGB and Optical Flow frames are available from this repository, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20223444 . For additional guidance, please contact the authors.

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Funding

This research was funded by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (JCYJ20210324135011030), Science and Technology Innovation Committee of Shenzhen-Platform and Carrier (International Science and Technology Information Center), High-end Foreign Expert Talent Introduction Plan (G2021032022L), Guangdong Pearl River Plan (2019QN01X890), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71971127).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Insitute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, The University Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of China

    Keren Artiaga, Yang Li, Ercan Engin Kuruoglu & Wai Kin (Victor) Chan

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  1. Keren Artiaga
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Keren Artiaga, Yang Li, Ercan Engin Kuruoglu, and Wai Kin (Victor) Chan. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Keren Artiaga and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Keren Artiaga.

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Artiaga, K., Li, Y., Kuruoglu, E.E. et al. Cross-Sign Language Transfer Learning Using Domain Adaptation with Multi-scale Temporal Alignment. Multimed Tools Appl 83, 37025–37051 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-023-16703-0

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