HandTalk: Brazil
The HandTalk virtual 3d sign language assistant translating a written text into Sign Language
About:
There are around 360 million people who are deaf around the world, and 80% of them do not understand the spoken and written language of their respective countries. In Brazil, the HandTalk product has been a response. The main product is the Website Translator, a very practical tool that solves the lack of accessibility with a simple click and has become popular in Brazil due to federal laws that require a percentage of television content to be signed, not just captioned.
After the Translator is activated on a device, the user is presented to Hugo, a friendly 3D virtual interpreter, that translates a website’s Portuguese text or audio to LIBRAS, also known as Brazilian Sign Language. Besides this, Hand Talk also has an app that works like a pocket translator.
Enablers / Barriers:
The mobile app has already been downloaded over two million times and translates voice and text automatically from Portuguese to LIBRAS. It also has a LIBRAS dictionary function for academic vocabulary, that is very useful for deaf students during the schooling process. HandTalk however requires a smartphone or a computer and an internet connection.
Details:
Implementing organizations:
HandTalk
Country:
Brazil
Year:
2019
Languages:
Portuguese, English
Format:
Sign language, Mobile app, Computer
Keywords:
Virtual translator, Sign Language, LIBRAS, websites