The objective of my PhD thesis
has a very long range aim, i.e.,
to be able to write down sign language
given that currently this does not exist.
So rather than observe signers
and proposing a ready-made
writing format,
my objective was to integrate signers
in the experiments and train myself
for interviewing techniues
and finally go out and help them
and help them describe
what is happening, how they communicate
in this sign language
and how they signal meaning,
all of which could
prove relevant
to find a way to write
signals and "gestures"
This preparation was to affirm myself
when I started the studies)
in fact after a whole year passed
which was not self-evident.
I had 3 thesis supervisors
and I hailed myself from graphic arts
so I had to take in what a universuty
meant and implied, gradually
with its academic methodologies
and things like that.
Finally, I was able to get
my PhD subject approved
Or rather my special methodology
more than the subject itself.
Then I had to train myself
to conduct and analyse interviews
so I could accompany
deaf subjects and that
was a really great experience
and it taught me lot.
Of course, all of this led on
me to organizing interviews
with deaf persons
who were to discover things
about themselves they ignored
and they all thanked me after
this representing a
marvellous present for me.
My aim is to be able, some day, to teach
to promote the method,
and work on what we call
user experience design (UXD)
on user experimenatal studies
applying this sort of methodology
to interview analysis.