Mathla
Our vision
From a living Arabic sign database to continuous sign-to-speech — Talk to me.
Why Mathla exists
Communication is a human right. Across the Arab world, Deaf people still face moments where meaning is lost — in classrooms, clinics, workplaces, government counters, and family life — because Arabic Sign Language is not yet supported by shared, trusted digital resources at the scale everyday life demands. Mathla exists to close that gap with dignity: a living Arabic sign-language database built with the Deaf community, not about them.
What we are building
We are building a national-scale Arabic Sign Language knowledge base — verified videos, clear meanings, regional awareness, and learning journeys — so Deaf and hearing people can meet in the same language of signs. That database is the foundation for education today and for continuous, natural conversation tools tomorrow (“Talk to me”), where signing can become text and speech, and speech or text can become signing.
Aligned with UAE inclusion
Our work sits in the spirit of the UAE’s National Policy for Empowering People of Determination: equal opportunity, active participation, accessible information, and communication that respects how people actually communicate — including Arabic Sign Language. We also take privacy seriously under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL). Mathla is not a government portal; it is a community platform designed to support the same outcomes of inclusion, dignity, and barrier-free public life.
How we bring people together
Deaf reviewers, teachers, interpreters, learners, families, schools, associations, and public-sector partners each have a place. Contributors record signs. Reviewers protect quality and cultural truth. Learners practice with structured paths. Organizations run campaigns. The community asks questions, requests missing signs, and celebrates progress. Inclusion is not a slogan here — it is the operating model.
How the Arabic database grows
Every verified sign is a brick in a shared house of meaning. We grow the database through guided live recording, multi-layer human review (technical quality, linguistic correctness, teacher insight, and Deaf-community authority), and careful consent so people choose how their image and signing may be used. Arabic and English resources stay separate so each language keeps its integrity. Public dictionary entries appear only when contributors choose public sharing and reviewers approve.
From database to everyday conversation
A rich, ethical Arabic sign database is what makes trustworthy learning and future real-time tools possible. Our long-term vision is continuous conversation: a Deaf person signs naturally; the system helps turn that into text and spoken speech; hearing people can reply and see signing in return. We will not rush that future by cutting corners on consent, quality, or Deaf leadership.
How partners and investment help
Schools, universities, Deaf associations, ministries, accessibility programs, and private partners can accelerate coverage of signs, fund workshops, sponsor campaigns, support reviewer capacity, and help take verified resources into classrooms and public services. Investment is not only money — it is time, expertise, venues, and trust. If you share this vision, partner with us to expand what the community can verify and teach.
What you can do now
Create an account. Record a sign. Join a learning path. Ask a question in the community. Request a missing sign. Invite your school or association. Every careful contribution moves Arabic Sign Language from fragmented effort to a shared national resource — and brings us closer to natural, continuous communication for everyone.
How the vision works
