AN app that translates sign language into text could be available next year, Scottish scientists announced today.

The Portable Sign Language Translator (PSLT) could revolutionise the way people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate, according to computing scientists at Technabling, a spin-out company from Aberdeen University, which developed the pioneering technology.

The PSLT recognises a user's hand signals through a camera that can be integrated into portable devices such as tablets and smartphones, then immediately translates it into text.

Dr Ernesto Compatangelo, a lecturer in computing science who is the director of Technabling, said, "The aim of the technology is to empower sign language users by enabling them to overcome the communication challenges they can experience, through portable technology."

He said the PSLT technology had the potential to be used with a range of communication tools including British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton - and crucially will allow users to personalise sign language to their own individual needs.

Dr Compatangelo added, "One of the most innovative and exciting aspects of the technology, is that it allows sign language users to actually develop their own signs for concepts and terms they need to have in their vocabulary, but they may not have been able to express easily when using BSL."