Another device shown at this year’s CES is the Sign Language Translator from Krown Manufacturing. Krown Manufacturing Company is a deaf owned manufacturer that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of deaf people and those who have hearing difficulties by making telecommunication equipment for individuals, professionals and businesses to be used in homes, workplace and all public facilities.

The Sign Language Translator is just like usual language translators we already know. It has a 320 by 240 pixel touchscreen display that is accompanied with a software based keyboard. The only difference is that this gizmo translates text into sign language, as its name implies. Using the translator is really simple and straightforward. Just key in a word using the stylus pen included in the device. After that, press the “enter” button and a video of a person demonstrating the sign for that word will be shown in the screen. More than 3,500 English words can be translated by the device.
However, it can only help users with translating single words only and not completing a sentence. That seems to be the major setback of the device. Users need to at least have background knowledge on the American Sign Language to efficiently make use of it. But despite that, Sign Language Translator proves to be a very functional device especially for those who know and actually have deaf friends. This is also a step toward teaching those who are interested in learning the sign language. Students who are just starting to learn can use the translator as a reference material.

The Sign Language Translator is rechargeable via USB and can work up to six hours with a single charge. It is very handy as it only weighs about 6 ounces. It is expected to be released in May for $199 though no official announcement about its availability has been made.

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