Therapist asking for advice

R

Richard Eckler

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I am working with a deaf man on a job search. I would like input on phone-based speech to sign software, alternately speech-to-text software. What has been your experience with the various programs? What are the pros and cons of the various programs? I would welcome any replies to richard.eckler@gmail.com.
 
I'm not aware of any speech-to-ASL software. And unfortunately, I'd be willing to bet there would be two big problems with speech-to-text software.

First is getting the software to recognize the audio from a phone call. Most of the programs that I've worked with are designed to take audio input from a mic in jack and not much else. Meaning that even if you were to run the call through the computer instead of a phone line (say via skype) the programs can't intercept the audio and translate it into text.

Second, their accuracy typically is poor to middlin' until you "train" the program to recognize how you speak. Given that you want it recognize an "unknown" voice each time it's accuracy wouldn't be high enough that I'd trust it for something like job search info.

There's a reason why VRS and regular relay are still used. They work.
 
Won't pretty much any smartphone will do speech to text?

There is an Android app called ASL Translator which allows you to type in a sentence and it will sign it. It doesn't do true ASL structure, but it works well enough for simple communication. Also at least on my phone someone can talk into it and my keyboard app will convert it to text and then ASL Translator will sign it. It's a pretty powerful app in my opinion.
 
Rogus said:
Won't pretty much any smartphone will do speech to text?
Click to expand...

Sure, but I understood the OP to mean they want to translate an incoming calling to text or ASL. Those apps don't do that do they?
 
Gobae said:
Sure, but I understood the OP to mean they want to translate an incoming calling to text or ASL. Those apps don't do that do they?
Click to expand...

Perhaps, but he didn't say he wanted it for use in a phone call. We'll see if he comes back with further information.

I'm not aware of any app that would do such a translation during a phone call.
 
Back
Top