SignTel Interpreter Offers Communications Access
Editor: One of the benefits of the current technological revolution
is the proliferation of devices to assist people with hearing loss.
SignTel Inc has just announced a beta version of their new device, which
converts spoken English into both captions and sign language. Here are
excerpts from their press release.
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SignTel Inc. today announced the availability of the beta version of
the SignTel Interpreter, a new communications system designed to improve
interactions between the country's hearing individuals and the deaf/hard
of hearing community, estimated at more than 20 million. The SignTel
Interpreter provides real time translation of spoken and written English
into sign language.
The SignTel Interpreter is housed on a computer, such as an IBM
ThinkPad(r) notebook, and works by capturing the hearing party's voice
through a microphone or via inputted English text, and displaying the
translated message in streaming sign language as well as text for the
deaf person. The signing figure also enunciates words, making it easy
for those who read lips to understand.
The SignTel Interpreter is the first device to accurately translate
the intended meanings of sentences, including common idiomatic
expressions, and turn such phrases into meaningful language for the
signing community. It also is able to differentiate between the multiple
meanings of words.
According to Maureen Rosselli, a sign language interpreter and a
member of the linguistic team at SignTel Inc., phrases such as
"beat around the bush" don't make sense when translated into
sign language. The SignTel Interpreter translates this phrase into
"avoid." Other examples include "cool as a
cucumber," which the SignTel Interpreter translates as
"calm"; or "once in a blue moon," translated as
"rare."
"The SignTel Interpreter utilizes advanced technological tools
such as sophisticated lexical analysis, artificial intelligence and
image processing, in an easy-to-use package to help bridge the
communication gap between the hearing and the deaf in the United
States," said Raanan Liebermann, Ph.D., president/chief executive
officer and chief of technology, SignTel. "In addition, the SignTel
Interpreter can boost productivity, enhance morale and foster improved
relationships in diverse environments, ranging from small businesses to
large companies and educational institutions. It is the first step in a
planned series of products that will remove existing barriers of
communication."
The beta version, available now, includes most of the features of
Version One, including text-to-sign language translation. It does not
include the voice recognition technology that enables voice-to-sign
language translations. Version One, with a unique voice recognition
technology that works in tandem with sophisticated lexical analysis,
will be available by March of this year. The upgraded feature will be
available for free to beta owners.
For additional information, please visit the SignTel website (http://www.signtelinc.com).
