Luigi:
Hello Frankie. Welcome back to the second interview. At the first interview we had a look at what your idea was for your exhibition. Now, some time has lapsed. How is it unfolding?
Frankie:
Yes. We first decided to focus on sign language recognition and we have stayed with that. Now we've been looking to see how we can collect information on it.
We already have two books published on sign language recognition throughout Europe and we also have some videos. We have documentation on the process. As you know, the last sign language that was legally recognized was in Italy.
What has become more difficult is how we can contact the Deaf Associations. Usually, we have our general assembly once a year and we come together in person. Then it's easy to talk with everyone there. But that's been an issue.
Luigi:
The people that you originally wanted to contact but now can't. Will you then contact different people? Do you think that your focus will stay the same or will that broaden?
Frankie:
Well, we're actually quite lucky because the people that we want to talk with, it's not only one person within the organization. There are also board members. So we do have quite a few people in and around the Deaf Associations that we can contact.
As far as our scope, I think w e're going to stick with what we want, the sign language recognition process. However we might broaden a little bit. It is very interesting for Deaf Associations and people interested in lobbying. But will this be interesting to a broader audience? So we're not sure if we want to also focus on something about the beauty of sign language, or.. Yeah we're still looking to see how we can make it interesting for a wider public.
Luigi:
The people that you want to interview, some of them might be older or people that have already worked with the EUD. Those are probably people already on your list. Have you also thought about interviewing younger people? The youth of today, asking about what they think about sign language recognition, and how that pertains to them for future work?
Frankie:
Good question. The people that we do want to interview, well actually we already have some interviews, for example with Johan Wesemann in the Netherlands. We have a video of him talking about sign language recognition. Also Helga Stevens and a few other people. But I think it'd actually be an interesting perspective to also look at the youth of today. Indeed maybe some of them think: Oh well, it's already recognized, it's already been taken into the law. We don't need to do anything about it. Or maybe they want to do something different with the law. It's a good point.
Luigi:
Yes, it would be interesting to see what the youth of today will do with the work that's been done until now. Maybe they would like to continue the work, or maybe they'd like to go a different way. You want to add something?
Frankie:
Yes, I just wanted to add it's a good point that you bring up, because all this lobbying that has been done. What will happen with all this work? Will they just throw it to the side, or will they say we actually still have other challenges that we want to continue to fight for. Or maybe the strategy we had in the past doesn't work for them now or for the future. So they can you know, learn from the past. I think that's a good perspective to focus on.
Luigi:
That were all the questions I had. Is there anything else you wanted to add?
Frankie:
Yes, we're happy with our topic: sign language recognition. I think the challenge that we're facing is how to now go about organizing this all. When you're really in it knee deep, you can't really see where to go.
So I think it's important for us to take a step back, and also to see if this will be interesting for a wider audience? Will it be interesting at all? Will the focus be so well-known, that people aren't interested in it in anymore.
How do we make sure that we can present this information in a exhibition that's exciting for people? So it's almost like making sure that from a business point of view, that you're not only thinking about what you want and walking your own path. You need to share with other people and get feedback.
Luigi:
Thank you Frankie, Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and we're curious how this will unfold when we interview you for the third time. Thank you!
Frankie:
Thank you very much and thanks for the interview. Bye bye.