Kazakh scientist develops unique sign language recognition system for hearing and visually impaired people

A scientist from Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana has developed a unique Kazakh sign language recognition system for hearing and visually impaired people, Turanews.kz reports.

The system, which is based on artificial intelligence, can read several variations of one gesture and convert it into text or spoken language.

“The system is based on a program code that analyzes the text and converts the sound or text language into sign language. Nurzada Amangeldy, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Information Technologies at Gumilyov Eurasian National University said.

“Similarly, the system converts it into spoken language, then gives it both in the form of text and sound. In addition, the system contains a special simulator for sign language interpreters, teaching them a new sign language.”

It took Nurzada Amangeldy about five years to develop the system and publish three scientific articles in top-ranking global journals. The scientist plans to scale up the project and introduce the system in public and state institutions. To commercialize the project, the author submitted an application to the Science Fund for participation in a grant funding competition.

“Few people today are familiar with sign language, especially in education,” Zhangeldy Bekbatyrov, Vice President of the Kazakh Society of Deaf People said.

“Teenagers and kids in kindergarten should be taught it first. The system will allow people with special needs to overcome the language barrier in communicating with other people. They can study at any free time, even at home, and answer all questions themselves.”

In addition to the Kazakh language, the smart system also recognizes Russian and international sign languages. Each of them will soon be replenished with 3,000 new gestures and words.

The development of the Kazakh sign language recognition system is a significant breakthrough for hearing and visually impaired people in Kazakhstan. The system will help them to communicate more effectively and independently, and it will also make it easier for them to access education and employment opportunities.