While information related to space, such as the activities of Japanese astronauts, has become familiar, there is a "wall" that there are few sign language expressions in space terms, and there are few expressions for people who are deaf to enjoy. That is. JAXA (Aerospace Research and Development Organization) holds sign language guided tours for people who are deaf, but at that time, the terminology of space is expressed using finger letters in the same way as ordinary sign language, and sign language. Words without expressions are represented one by one with finger letters, but it often leaves the image of the word itself, and above all, it takes time because you have to move your finger one by one.

　"If there is a sign language that can explain the universe, I think it will be easier to understand."From the thoughts of Mr. Kasuga, the JAXA public relations department with hearing impairment, we asked the Toyo University sign language circle "Tsumiki" to cooperate, and the development of space sign language began.

　Prototypes of 21 to 15 words, which were first mentioned as candidates for space terms, were created, and finally "JAXA", "International Space Station", "Extravehicular Activities", Space Station Supply Ship "Konotori", "Spaceship", and asteroid exploration. Six words of the machine "Hayabusa" * have been completed. * "Hayabusa" is an existing sign language

　Six words created with the aim of sign language that conveys the function and role of the word in an easy-to-understand manner. Sometimes it was decided immediately to make one word, and sometimes it was difficult.For example, in "extravehicular activity", the image is that you go out into outer space while floating. In "spaceship", we pondered the uniqueness of a "space ship" rather than a ship that goes through the sea, and finally paraphrased "ship" into the shape of a "box" and called "space" + "box". It was an expression.

　Eri Miyahara (3rd year Faculty of Regional Sciences), the representative of "Tsumiki", said, "It was my first time to make a new sign language by myself, but I tried to make it understandable to people who are not familiar with space. Based on that, I would like to increase the number of space sign languages. " An explanation video of sign language terms in which "Tsumiki" members also participated will be released on the JAXA website in the future.

reference:【fan!fan! JAXA! ] Let's learn space sign language ☆