Design of a Real-Time Interpreter for Arabic Sign Language

Abstract

Sign Language is the main communication method used by the deaf, mute, and hard of hearing individuals. It utilizes hand gestures, movement and orientation of fingers, arms, or body, and facial gestures to convey speaker's ideas. Although known since the 5th century BC, sign language is not standardized internationally and each country generally has its own native sign language. Arabic is a widely spoken language in the Middle Eastern region and has its own versions of sign language. In this paper, design of a glove-based real-time interpreter for Arabic sign language has been presented, which can translate hand-gestures of Arabic alphabets into text displayed on a dot matrix screen.