Using eye-tracking technologies for preparing audiodescription script

Aleksandrova Elena Vladislavovna

The article describes an experiment which consisted in using eye-tracking technologies in order to prepare the script of audiodescription. Audiodescription types are classified depending on the type of objects described (stative or dynamic) or the overall approach to preparing the script (descriptive, cognitive or creative). The author speaks about the advantages and disadvantages of using eye-tracking technology in the process of preparing the script of verbal description for the blind and low-sighted which are illustrated by implementing Tobii Eye Tracker 4C. The experiment was carried out using a 2-minute-long Youtube video demonstrating the unique natural phenomenon - Aurora borealis. 12 sighted viewers participated in the experiment watching the video while the eye-tracker followed their eye fixation. Further the participants answered additional questions thus providing the verbal description of what they had seen. The comparative analysis of the eye-tracker data with the verbal descriptions provided by the experiment participants revealed that peripheral vision should be taken into consideration as it is not included into the eye-tracking data but influences the verbal description. The author concludes that a combination of different research methods should be applied in the process of audiodescription script preparation. The article also emphasizes that different criteria should be taken into consideration such as the age, education and place of residence of the experiment participants as they might affect the eye movement and fixation which will further affect the results of eye-tracking data analysis. Attention is drawn to the fact that good quality audiodescription can enlarge the vocabulary of the blind and low-sighted as well as facilitate concepts categorization.

Keywords:audiodescription, eye-tracking, eye-tracker, accessibility, verbal description, view fixation, peripheral vision, visual perception