SpreadTheSign
SpreadTheSign is a multilingual sign language dictionary centered on video lookup.
What SpreadTheSign is
SpreadTheSign is a multilingual sign language dictionary centered on video lookup. It includes more than 600,000 sign videos in 23 sign languages, including ASL and BSL. Users can search for individual words and sentence examples, compare how the same word is signed across languages, and slow videos to follow the movements. The dictionary also includes hand alphabets, fingerspelling, and baby signs, while favorites let users save signs to revisit. SpreadTheSign is available on the web and as Android and iOS apps, with video as its lesson format. The maker presents it as a reference for sign language learners, families, educators, interpreters, and people who need to check a sign. A free plan is available, and the iOS app is listed as free with in-app purchases. The listed Pro Version is €599, paid once. The maker says new words, videos, and language coverage are added regularly, but availability can vary by language. Google Play lists the developer-provided disclosure as no data collected and no data shared with third parties.
Good
- More than 600,000 videos across 23 sign languages.
- Searches words and sentence examples.
- Compare signs across different languages.
- Videos can be slowed down.
- Includes alphabets, fingerspelling, baby signs, and favorites.
Watch out
- Content availability may vary by language.
- The iOS app has in-app purchases.
- The listed Pro Version costs €599, paid once.
Who it suits
SpreadTheSign suits sign language learners, families, educators, interpreters, and anyone who needs to look up a sign. Its language comparison and slowed videos may help people studying how signs are formed across languages.
Verdict
SpreadTheSign combines a large video dictionary with search, language comparison, and study aids. Check language coverage for the signs you need, and note the listed iOS purchase option.
Plans and prices
From SpreadTheSign's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | iOS app listed as free · in-app purchases available |
| Free web access | Free | Private-user viewing · browser dictionary access |
| Pro Version | $5.99, paid once | Premium sentence search · profanity and slang sections · additional hand alphabets · slow playback · baby signs · one-time in-app purchase |
| Pro Version | €599, paid once | In-app purchase for the iOS app; other limits not stated |
The facts
Each one read from SpreadTheSign's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alphabet tools
- The app includes hand alphabets and fingerspelling.checked 5 Oct 2001
- Audience
- The maker describes it as a reference for sign language learners, families, educators, interpreters, and people who need to look up a sign quickly.checked 5 Oct 2001
- Baby signs
- A dedicated baby-sign section is included.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Commercial licensing
- Private users can view the site free, while researchers, developers, universities and companies must purchase a licence.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Compare languages
- Users can compare how the same word is expressed across different sign languages.checked 5 Oct 2001
- Coverage limit
- The maker says new words, videos, and language coverage are added regularly, and that content availability may vary by language.checked 5 Oct 2001
- Cross-language comparison
- A searched word can be compared across different sign languages.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Documentation depth
- The independent language-resource catalogue lists language inventories, word/sign-pair counts, linguistic fields, licence information and access method.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Favorites and offline
- Users can save signs as favorites and watch saved videos offline in the iOS app.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Fingerspelling
- The product includes hand alphabets and fingerspelling practice.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Founder and origin
- SpreadTheSign began in 2006 as a Swedish project by teacher Thomas Lydell, initially funded through the European Commission Leonardo programme.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Language coverage
- The app supports 23 sign languages, including BSL, ASL and LSE.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Licence restriction
- The dataset reference says videos and data cannot be downloaded or used, including for research, without explicit permission.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: coverage gaps
- Reviewers mention missing regional vocabulary and request additional sign languages such as Afghan Sign Language.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: paywall
- Reviewers complain that many functions require the paid version and that the premium purchase adds less value than expected.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: reliability
- Users report loading errors, videos that fail to play, freezes and crashes on both app and website.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: usability
- A review says beginners may struggle because videos can be too fast and the interface requires typing a letter or word to browse.checked 15 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Android distribution
- The Android app has exceeded one million downloads according to AppBrain.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Apple privacy disclosure
- Apple lists identifiers, usage data and diagnostics as potentially collected but not linked to the user.checked 15 Oct 2001
- iOS requirements
- The iOS app requires iOS 13 or later; its Mac version requires macOS 11 or later with an Apple M1 chip or newer.checked 15 Oct 2001
The company
- Company activity
- The centre says it has documented more than 500,000 sign-language words and works in more than 40 countries.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Company type
- European Sign Language Centre is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Örebro, Sweden.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Headquarters
- Örebro, Swedenchecked 28 Sep 2001
- Maker
- Google Play identifies the developer as Europeiskt Teckenspråkcenter and lists its address in Örebro, Sweden.checked 5 Oct 2001
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