| North Haven, CT, January 30, 2001
-- 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 incorporates the language that is considered native to the deaf
community, sign language, as an integral part of its program, and provides real time translation of spoken and written English
into sign language.
According to Maureen Rosselli, a sign language interpreter and
a member of the linguistic team at SignTel Inc., “The culturally Deaf use sign language, a rich and expressive language
with its own grammar, rhythm and syntax, to communicate in social, educational and workplace settings. While not meant to
replace a live interpreter, this product was developed in the hopes of facilitating interactions between the hearing and the
deaf when a live interpreter is not available.”
The Signtel Interpreter is housed on a computer, such as an
IBM ThinkPad® 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.
Existing telecommunications systems for the deaf, such as the
tele-typewriter (TTY), are cumbersome, time-consuming and lack privacy because they require participation of live operators
to type the speech content of the hearing so that the deaf can see it in text. 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 Ms. Rosselli, 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 Ron 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 translationz. 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.
SignTel Inc., headquartered in North Haven, Connecticut, is
engaged in the development of assistive devices and communication technologies for the deaf and hard of hearing. SignTel Inc.
currently has more than 120 employees including deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind and deaf/low vision. Please feel free to
visit the Company’s Web site at signtelinc.com.
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