Touch Language in View of Esperanto
Raanan Liebermann
May 5, 2017
May 5, 2017
The month of April this year marked one hundred years to the departure of Dr. Eliezer Zamenhof, who developed the Esperanto language. As was mentioned by Ettay Nevo in his article on the "The Physician Who Tried to Unify the World"[1], Zamenhof was driven to build the language, propelled by the desire to create an international language that would overcome tribal differences of various nations and ethnic groups, leading to unification of the inhabitants of planet Earth, via a singular language applicable to all.
The situation today, some one hundred years after Zamenhof departed this world, is quite different from the situation that prevailed then, albeit the remaining of tribal tendencies and albeit the indication due to the Internet phenomena that English is slowly establishing itself as a leading language. In a fundamental departure from Zamenhof, we are observing the conservation of tribalism, which in effect honors the uniqueness of each ethnic group, its tradition, values, its uniqueness that engulfs the values and nationality of the ethnic group, while conserving the wisdom, humor and values, as is apparent for example in the Yidish Language that encompasses quite a bit of humor in its expressions, which is brought here as an example, being the native language of Zamenhof in his early childhood.
The situation today, at the early twenty first century, enables us to take a step that is different from the basic assumption of Zamenhof, yet maintaining Zamenhof's advocacy for unity. It's a step where the native language of each group can be preserved with all its uniqueness, and still be part of a common base language for all, without giving preference to any specific language. Let us examine this situation and witness to where it leads. We will skip the development of the written and audio-visual news media of newspapers and television and focus on the Internet that provides us with the tools for connectivity and communication among different people, nations and other cultures. The social layer provided by the social media in its different forms enables us connectivity, which does not require relinquishing the existing base. Thus, the question to ask is whether a unifying language is still required or even desired? If the answer is affirmative, then let us see why and what would its value be.
We are aware from the outset that in every spoken language there exist a gap where individuals who are hearing challenged, whether by being deaf or hard of hearing, are unable to conduct verbal communication, listen to radio, television, etc. A solution to such condition brought about Sign Language, which did not solve the issue for those who are hard of hearing, and certainly not the rest of the population, which was the base from where Zamenhof started. Even among those utilizing Sign Language related to a particular natural language, there are different such "sub" languages, noting the American Sign Language (ASL), the English Sign Language (ESL), or the British Sign Language (BSL). Even when concentrating on a single one of these Sign Languages, such the ASL, we find different dialects, where some signs in one geographical area of the U.S. are signed differently from the signs in another geographical area in the U.S., while describing the same meaning.
Even though a solution to such a situation was introduced by the Signtel Interpreter[2], which is an electronic translation engine that among other features enables to pause the translation stream and receive the actual meaning of the specific sign utilized, by receiving it in fingerspelling, it is not a general solution, and does not constitute an evolutionary step in unifying people. Moreover, even without the specific languages for deaf individuals, we are aware that deaf individuals who are also blind, are unable to benefit from Sign Languages, since they cannot see the motions of hands and fingers. Neither does the electronic cane (eCane)[5], enabling a person who is both deaf and blind to conduct a face-to-face communication with any person, to constitute a solution.
In contrast, a new unifying language has emerged, applicable for all people that leaves the native language intact, does not disregard the national and cultural uniqueness of the native language and which encompasses also communication ability for those individuals who are hearing and sight challenged. This language is called Touch Language, which was developed by Raanan Liebermann[3],[4] over a decade ago and contains the uniqueness that is explained below.
Touch Language is built on Concepts, instead of syntax and grammar, where its uniqueness is attributed to the inherent structure, where all the Concepts originate with content of each sentence. Description of such content is anchored in a one-to-one relationship to specific hand and fingers of a human and thereby providing a unifying connectivity to all. Touch Language is a language utilizing electronic communication technology and does not necessarily require use of the Internet. Let us examine the language, its construct and applicability. It should be remarked that the language developed by Liebermann, which is now in the public domain, was part of a solution to enable individuals who are both deaf and blind to partake in enjoying live broadcast of a television show, which earned him a patent for it[4]. The television related hardware housing the language is expected to be marketed in the future.
A partial description of a situation expressed in Touch Language, provided below, enables the understanding of how Touch Language operates.
Namely, the second finger (i.e., the first finger after the thumb) on the right hand characterizes a male, while the third finger on that hand characterizes a female. Also the fourth and fifth fingers on that hand characterize male and female respectively, with the difference being that the first pair (second and third fingers) characterizes individuals with negative character, while the other pair (fourth and fifth) represent individuals with positive character.
Further characterization of the positive and negative as related to the people serving as protagonists in our example, is provided by the face parts of the relevant fingers, wherein the area of the phalange closer to the palm indicates lightness, the middle section indicates a stronger sense and the upper portion of the face of the finger indicates a much sharper situation. Thus, we characterize the back of the second finger with its lower face part as "naughty", while the same finger with the upper face part means "wickedness". In addition, one tap on the back of any of those fingers, indicates young age, two taps indicates adult age, and three taps indicate advanced age. Therefore, in our example, if we have three taps on the back of the fifth finger of the right hand, with a single tap on the lower portion of its face part, while there is also (in succession) a single tap on the back on the second finger, with a single tap on its lower fact part, we do know that there is a description of a good natured older woman, whereas the other protagonist is a naughty boy. If we add to it the palm as well, which characterizes the screen of the television, then a line drawn on the palm almost completes the information for us, whereby the old and good nature woman is chasing a naughty boy along the indicated path on the palm of the hand. All that is still left in the description utilizing Touch Language is to provide the verb for chase, which is provided in another manner in Touch Language.
Additional details on Touch Language that was contributed to the Public Domain by its developer can be found in the Touch Language book on this site. The book can be read online, as well as downloaded free of charge.
Finally, a comment regarding the richness of the language is appropriate. The utility and diversity of combinations from the layout setting of Touch Language, is quite significant when considering the mathematical combinations available from the base definitions. For comparison, we consider the number of words that can potentially be made out of the 26 characters in the Latin alphabet. If we assume 3-letter words, it amounts to 2,600 words, and if we assume 6-letter words, it amounts to some 230,000 words. Touch language, provides as a minimum, the back of 10 fingers, 2 distinction (left and right hands), 3 positions on the face of 8 fingers and 2 positions on each face of the two thumbs, with a single tapping, amounting to 41 combinations will mathematically produce some 350 million potential combinations for describing concepts. However, if also add the 3 segments on each of the back of the 8 fingers and the two segments on the back of the two thumbs, with an additional two possible tapping, thereby adding another 30 possible combinations, we find that mathematically there are some 460 billion potential combinations for articulating concepts, without the need to remember any of them, except the principles of the hands and fingers layout.Thus, Touch Language, with its potential 460 billion combinations provides significantly more descriptive options. The universality of Touch Language stems from the combination of abdicating syntax and grammar rules while introducing concepts, whereby each concept combination out of the hundreds of billions available, corresponds to a body part shared by all human beings, irrespective of their geographic location, language or culture.
Refereces
[1] Ettay Nevo, "The Physician who Tried to Unify the World", Davidson Institute, April 14, 2017
[2] Raanan Liebermann, U.S. Patent No. 7,774,194, August 10, 2010
[3] Proper Disclosure: Raanan Liebermann, developer of Touch Language is also the author of this article.
[4] Raanan Liebermann, Touch Language,U.S. Patent No. 8,523,572, September 3, 2013
[5] Raanan Liebermann, U.S. Patent No. 7,965,196, June 21, 2011
Dr. Raanan Liebermann is a scientist, holding a doctorate in Astrophysics from the University of Oxford; the founder and president of Signtel, Inc. Formerly professor of physics whose many developments and awarded patents encompass the areas of artificial intelligence, communication, navigation, and energy.
The situation today, some one hundred years after Zamenhof departed this world, is quite different from the situation that prevailed then, albeit the remaining of tribal tendencies and albeit the indication due to the Internet phenomena that English is slowly establishing itself as a leading language. In a fundamental departure from Zamenhof, we are observing the conservation of tribalism, which in effect honors the uniqueness of each ethnic group, its tradition, values, its uniqueness that engulfs the values and nationality of the ethnic group, while conserving the wisdom, humor and values, as is apparent for example in the Yidish Language that encompasses quite a bit of humor in its expressions, which is brought here as an example, being the native language of Zamenhof in his early childhood.
The situation today, at the early twenty first century, enables us to take a step that is different from the basic assumption of Zamenhof, yet maintaining Zamenhof's advocacy for unity. It's a step where the native language of each group can be preserved with all its uniqueness, and still be part of a common base language for all, without giving preference to any specific language. Let us examine this situation and witness to where it leads. We will skip the development of the written and audio-visual news media of newspapers and television and focus on the Internet that provides us with the tools for connectivity and communication among different people, nations and other cultures. The social layer provided by the social media in its different forms enables us connectivity, which does not require relinquishing the existing base. Thus, the question to ask is whether a unifying language is still required or even desired? If the answer is affirmative, then let us see why and what would its value be.
We are aware from the outset that in every spoken language there exist a gap where individuals who are hearing challenged, whether by being deaf or hard of hearing, are unable to conduct verbal communication, listen to radio, television, etc. A solution to such condition brought about Sign Language, which did not solve the issue for those who are hard of hearing, and certainly not the rest of the population, which was the base from where Zamenhof started. Even among those utilizing Sign Language related to a particular natural language, there are different such "sub" languages, noting the American Sign Language (ASL), the English Sign Language (ESL), or the British Sign Language (BSL). Even when concentrating on a single one of these Sign Languages, such the ASL, we find different dialects, where some signs in one geographical area of the U.S. are signed differently from the signs in another geographical area in the U.S., while describing the same meaning.
Even though a solution to such a situation was introduced by the Signtel Interpreter[2], which is an electronic translation engine that among other features enables to pause the translation stream and receive the actual meaning of the specific sign utilized, by receiving it in fingerspelling, it is not a general solution, and does not constitute an evolutionary step in unifying people. Moreover, even without the specific languages for deaf individuals, we are aware that deaf individuals who are also blind, are unable to benefit from Sign Languages, since they cannot see the motions of hands and fingers. Neither does the electronic cane (eCane)[5], enabling a person who is both deaf and blind to conduct a face-to-face communication with any person, to constitute a solution.
In contrast, a new unifying language has emerged, applicable for all people that leaves the native language intact, does not disregard the national and cultural uniqueness of the native language and which encompasses also communication ability for those individuals who are hearing and sight challenged. This language is called Touch Language, which was developed by Raanan Liebermann[3],[4] over a decade ago and contains the uniqueness that is explained below.
Touch Language is built on Concepts, instead of syntax and grammar, where its uniqueness is attributed to the inherent structure, where all the Concepts originate with content of each sentence. Description of such content is anchored in a one-to-one relationship to specific hand and fingers of a human and thereby providing a unifying connectivity to all. Touch Language is a language utilizing electronic communication technology and does not necessarily require use of the Internet. Let us examine the language, its construct and applicability. It should be remarked that the language developed by Liebermann, which is now in the public domain, was part of a solution to enable individuals who are both deaf and blind to partake in enjoying live broadcast of a television show, which earned him a patent for it[4]. The television related hardware housing the language is expected to be marketed in the future.
A partial description of a situation expressed in Touch Language, provided below, enables the understanding of how Touch Language operates.
Namely, the second finger (i.e., the first finger after the thumb) on the right hand characterizes a male, while the third finger on that hand characterizes a female. Also the fourth and fifth fingers on that hand characterize male and female respectively, with the difference being that the first pair (second and third fingers) characterizes individuals with negative character, while the other pair (fourth and fifth) represent individuals with positive character.
Further characterization of the positive and negative as related to the people serving as protagonists in our example, is provided by the face parts of the relevant fingers, wherein the area of the phalange closer to the palm indicates lightness, the middle section indicates a stronger sense and the upper portion of the face of the finger indicates a much sharper situation. Thus, we characterize the back of the second finger with its lower face part as "naughty", while the same finger with the upper face part means "wickedness". In addition, one tap on the back of any of those fingers, indicates young age, two taps indicates adult age, and three taps indicate advanced age. Therefore, in our example, if we have three taps on the back of the fifth finger of the right hand, with a single tap on the lower portion of its face part, while there is also (in succession) a single tap on the back on the second finger, with a single tap on its lower fact part, we do know that there is a description of a good natured older woman, whereas the other protagonist is a naughty boy. If we add to it the palm as well, which characterizes the screen of the television, then a line drawn on the palm almost completes the information for us, whereby the old and good nature woman is chasing a naughty boy along the indicated path on the palm of the hand. All that is still left in the description utilizing Touch Language is to provide the verb for chase, which is provided in another manner in Touch Language.
Additional details on Touch Language that was contributed to the Public Domain by its developer can be found in the Touch Language book on this site. The book can be read online, as well as downloaded free of charge.
Finally, a comment regarding the richness of the language is appropriate. The utility and diversity of combinations from the layout setting of Touch Language, is quite significant when considering the mathematical combinations available from the base definitions. For comparison, we consider the number of words that can potentially be made out of the 26 characters in the Latin alphabet. If we assume 3-letter words, it amounts to 2,600 words, and if we assume 6-letter words, it amounts to some 230,000 words. Touch language, provides as a minimum, the back of 10 fingers, 2 distinction (left and right hands), 3 positions on the face of 8 fingers and 2 positions on each face of the two thumbs, with a single tapping, amounting to 41 combinations will mathematically produce some 350 million potential combinations for describing concepts. However, if also add the 3 segments on each of the back of the 8 fingers and the two segments on the back of the two thumbs, with an additional two possible tapping, thereby adding another 30 possible combinations, we find that mathematically there are some 460 billion potential combinations for articulating concepts, without the need to remember any of them, except the principles of the hands and fingers layout.Thus, Touch Language, with its potential 460 billion combinations provides significantly more descriptive options. The universality of Touch Language stems from the combination of abdicating syntax and grammar rules while introducing concepts, whereby each concept combination out of the hundreds of billions available, corresponds to a body part shared by all human beings, irrespective of their geographic location, language or culture.
Refereces
[1] Ettay Nevo, "The Physician who Tried to Unify the World", Davidson Institute, April 14, 2017
[2] Raanan Liebermann, U.S. Patent No. 7,774,194, August 10, 2010
[3] Proper Disclosure: Raanan Liebermann, developer of Touch Language is also the author of this article.
[4] Raanan Liebermann, Touch Language,U.S. Patent No. 8,523,572, September 3, 2013
[5] Raanan Liebermann, U.S. Patent No. 7,965,196, June 21, 2011
Dr. Raanan Liebermann is a scientist, holding a doctorate in Astrophysics from the University of Oxford; the founder and president of Signtel, Inc. Formerly professor of physics whose many developments and awarded patents encompass the areas of artificial intelligence, communication, navigation, and energy.