Abstract
The current project reviewed and synthesized relevant research in the area of non-verbal communication. This information was amalgamated with commercially-available information in order to create an extensive electronic library of gestures that incorporates previously established population norms by culture and region. Using 3-D animation software (Poser 4), representations of different gestures were created and incorporated into a computerized database. This database contains gestures, illustrations, meanings, as well as the country to which the gesture is relevant. The database is readily accessible and can be referenced by the name, description, and meaning of the gesture as well as the referenced source. Thus, this work lays the scientific foundation for a learning system that allows travelers and military personnel to look for and interpret non-verbal cues of individuals and groups. To this end, the database is currently used as a research tool to study the context and learning of gestures in cultural context. The demonstration presents the synthesized information as well as the animation software used to create this database.
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