A Multi-Lingual Recognition System for Arabic and Latin Handwriting

Generally, handwritten word recognition systems use script specific methodologies. In this paper, we present a unified approach for multi-lingual recognition of alphabetic scripts. The proposed system operates independently of the nature of the script using the multi-stream paradigm. The experiments have been carried out on a multi-script database composed of Arabic and Latin handwritten words from the IFN/ENIT and the IRONOFF public databases and show interesting recognition performances with only 1.5% of script confusion and an overall word recognition rate of 84.5% using a multi-script lexicon of 1142 words.