The Development and Assessment of Pattern Matching Algorithms Used by ZEE: A Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Dictionary and English-Learning App

The Development and Assessment of Pattern Matching Algorithms Used by ZEE: A Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Dictionary and English-Learning App Maria Dominique Daculan Asherrie Jaye O. Tan Angie M. Ceniza-Canillo University of San Carlos University of San Carlos University of San Carlos 16100499@usc.edu.ph 18102538@usc.edu.ph amceniza@usc.edu.ph Abstract “The Filipino Sign Language Act” of RA 11106 states the declaration of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the National Sign Language of Filipino deaf citizens. However, the lack of awareness prevails as with the cyberbullying case of Mininio Buhat. This paper takes an initial step into raising awareness with Zee, with the analysis of three different pattern-searching algorithms - Knuth-Morris Pratt, Boyer-Moore, and Robin Karp to determine which suits the application best.By implementing three different algorithms, an efficient algorithm that is consistent in all test cases was determined to be used in pattern matching. The search functionality of the application was tested with one algorithm at a time where users input an English word and the application searches the database returning the corresponding FSL gesture of that particular English word in gif format. From there, the execution time of each algorithm was recorded and the overall criteria for the analysis of the algorithms: time complexity, space complexity and overall performance was compared among the three algorithms. It was determined that the Boyer Moore algorithm gave consistent results and was generally fast and efficient in any test case, be it patterns of shorter length and patterns of longer length. 1 Introduction According to a survey, the term disability refers to “any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from impairment) to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being” (NSO, 2014). Focusing on those belonging to the deaf community, Center for Hearing and Communication statistics show that around 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. In the Republic Act 7277 [1], otherwise known as Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, it is stated that people who are deaf, mute, or hearing-imapired belong to 1.23% of the entire Philippine population. Furthermore, the 2009 projected population of the deaf consists of 241,624 totally deaf citizens as well as 275, 912 partially deaf. In the aforementioned Act, Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) are given special privileges and self-development programs for them to be a part of the mainstream of society. Despite having these laws made to alleviate the burden PWD’s carry, it is eminent in society that people lack awareness towards PWDs and would often regard them as “weird”, “abnormal” and in most cases “special” in a negative nuance. One of the major factors contributing to these preconceived ideas is the lack of communication and understanding between the hearing and the non-hearing community. In addition, a 2014 Philippine News article presented Mininio Buhat - a Filipina born profoundly deaf - who became a victim of cyberbullying shortly after posting on the social platform Facebook with faulty written English. It was later revealed by experts that deaf people are taught proper English …

Content truncated to 500 words