Conversion of Malayalam text to Indian sign language using synthetic animation

This paper presents a machine translation system for translating Malayalam text to Indian Sign Language (ISL) using synthetic animation approach. The proposed system makes use of HamNoSys structure as an intermediate representation for signs. The system accepts Malayalam input either as single words or as multiple words and the output is delivered as 3D character animation. This system also provides the facility to input new words to the database through an interactive sign editor that transcribes signs into HamNoSys structure. It has been implemented as a tutoring system for sign language and hence promote sign language education among common people of Kerala.