Abstract
This paper reports on work in animating Swiss German Sign Language (DSGS) fingerspelling sequences and signs as well as on the results of a study evaluating the acceptance of the animations. The animated fingerspelling sequences form part of a fingerspelling learning tool for DSGS, while the animated signs are to be used in a study exploring the potential of sign language avatars in sign language assessment. To evaluate the DSGS fingerspelling sequences and signs, we conducted a focus group study with seven early learners of DSGS. We identified the following aspects of the animations as requiring improvement: non-manual features (in particular, facial expressions and head and shoulder movements), (fluidity of) manual movements, and hand positions of fingerspelling signs.