In its drive to make the digital world more inclusive, the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted a monitoring meeting on its Bloemfontein campus to assess the outcomes of a groundbreaking language and technology project aimed at advancing South African sign language (SASL) through the use of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) tools.

The project, Advancing South African Sign Language for 4IR Technological Development Using Place Names, was funded by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) through its Human Language Technology Unit. It was led internally by the university’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures (ICDF) in collaboration with the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies in the Faculty of Humanities.

Members of the UFS project team attended the meeting, as did three representatives from the DSAC: Tshikani Mabasa, Director of the Human Language Technology Unit; Opelo Thole, Deputy Director of the unit and project manager; and Romeo Mohare, Assistant Director.

“This grant empowers all of us to develop cutting-edge human language technologies and to elevate our 12th official language, namely sign language, which is not simply a tool, but a symbol of dignity and recognition for the Deaf community,” said Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, in his opening remarks. “With the support of the DSAC, our ICDF and the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, we were able to co-create inclusive digital platforms for multilingual communication.”

Building a digital future for Sign Language

The project sought to ensure that Deaf South Africans who use SASL are not left behind as the digital world rapidly evolves. That starts with building foundational tools for inclusion, including computer-readable data that makes it possible to integrate SASL into future technology platforms.

“We wanted to advance 4IR technology for South African sign language using computer-readable data, including SASL place name data, synthetic data and data-sharing frameworks from other technology domains,” explained Dr Herkulaas Combrink, Co-director of the ICDF. 

The project also focused on synthetic data, ethical data governance, and tools that allow researchers to collaborate and share information more easily. Five main objectives were achieved during the project’s three-year duration:

“The work accomplished in this pioneering project is a step towards a South Africa where every voice, spoken or signed, is heard and respected,” Prof Reddy remarked.

Social impact and collaboration

The initiative’s social mission sets it apart from many other technology-focused language projects. 

“What makes what we do unique is our social impact, community engagement and synthetic data,” Dr Combrink said.

Prof Annalene van Staden, Head of the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, echoed this view.

“Integrating South African Sign Language into emerging technologies through collaborative projects like this one is a vital step towards linguistic inclusion and digital equity,” she said. “It affirms the cultural and linguistic value of SASL, supports the preservation and promotion of the language, and enhances accessibility in education, communication and public services.”

She added that the real impact will be felt by the communities that the project was designed to serve. 

“We hope this project will have a transformative impact on Deaf communities and SASL users by advancing access, inclusion and visibility. By embedding SASL into digital platforms, we empower Deaf individuals to engage more fully with society, access vital information and express themselves in their first language.”

From a national perspective, the work aligns with South Africa’s broader goals to develop inclusive digital infrastructure. 

“Human language technology for SASL is limited in the African context,” Dr Combrink explained. “We are building the framework for managing the human language technology ‘infodemic’, and making sure that human language technology for SASL is developed.”

He credited the success of the initiative to strong support from the DSAC, adding that the project would not have reached the heights it has without the department’s involvement.

“Ultimately, we envision a future where technology is not a barrier, but a bridge that supports Deaf-led innovation, enhancing communication, and contributing to a society that recognises and celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity,” Prof Van Staden said.