BEYOND WORDS: IT student develops free translation app for Filipino sign languages

Filipino IT student Arian Dave on August 31 officially started a personal project that seeks to help his fellow Filipinos who use the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) by making it more accessible and enhanced, displaying his support as a next generation innovator. According to Arian Dave, he wishes to contribute to society in his own way. So, at the end of August, he announced that he would begin an original project to further assist those who use FSL. “Sa pagtatapos ng Agosto, nais kong maka-ambag sa lipunan kahit sa maliit na paraan, opisyal kong sinisimulan ang isang proyektong naglalayong makatulong sa ating mga kababayang gumagamit ng Filipino Sign Language,” Arian stated. Therefore, Arian developed a free translation app using the latest and most efficient Google AI models, he explained that this app will provide better understanding of FSL by translating into various Filipino languages. “Ito ay magbibigay daan upang mas madaling ma-access sa pamamagitan ng pag-salin nito sa iba't ibang wikang Filipino tulad ng Tagalog, Ingles, Cebuano, Ilocano (Hiligaynon), Waray, Kapampangan, Bikol, at Pangasinan,” he added. As he progressed to complete the project, Arian productively presented his ongoing work to success, serving as a gift for his fellow Filipinos. “Ito ay regalo mula sa isang estudyante, para sa mga kababayang Pilipino,” he emphasized.