IMPACT JOURNALISM DAY 2015: SPECIAL NEEDS

Software translates words into sign language

Professor Yeny Carias is part of a team behind software that translates voice messages to Honduran sign language. PHOTO: MARVIN SALGADO

This story was first published on June 20, 2015

A 3D humanoid avatar, designed to capture the voice of the teacher and translate it into sign language, is set to become the new classmate for students with hearing problems.

Professor Yeny Carias, 32, and a team of professionals, are behind the project.

Prof Carías, who teaches at the faculty of engineering at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, said the software serves as a bridge between those with hearing problems and the outside world.

To use it, the student would need a computer, a microphone and Internet access.

The teacher would simply need to focus on the correct pronunciation of words, so that the avatar can pick up the message correctly and translate it into sign language.

The team works closely with those who are deaf to record short videos with words in sign language for the software.

The project is designed for higher education, in areas such as mathematics, computer science and engineering. But it could potentially be put into use in schools and colleges, benefiting a large segment of the 70,000 people with hearing problems in Honduras.

YANIVIS IZAGUIRRE/EL HERALDO (HONDURAS)

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 15, 2016, with the headline Software translates words into sign language. Subscribe