New Zealand Sign Language Week

7^th – 13^th of May is New Zealand Sign Language week. 24,000 people use NZSL every day. NZSL became an official language of New Zealand in 2006 and is the main language used by the NZ Deaf community. NZSL reflects the culture of the Deaf Community here in New Zealand, including signs for Maori words and concepts, which cannot be found in other signed languages around the world.

NZSL is not only the use of hand movements but includes the body, mouth movements and facial gestures to indicate meaning. Each region of NZ also has its own NZSL variations, just like regional accents.

Ara is running NZSL taster classes where you can learn some NZSL for yourself.

Details:

Monday 7^th May

12pm – 1pm

Atrium Rakaia Building City Campus

Tuesday 8^th May

12pm – 1pm

SSB, Trades Campus

Wednesday 9^th May

12pm – 1pm

Library, Ground floor City Campus

We would love to see you at these classes. If you cannot make it, check out http://deaf.org.nz/nzslw/ for more information on NZSL.

Happy signing!

Sign Language Week

8th-14th of May is New Zealand Sign Language week. NZSL became an official language of New Zealand in 2006 and is the main language used by the NZ Deaf community.

NZSL is not only the use of hand movements but also includes body, mouth and facial movements to indicate meaning. Each region also has its own NZSL variations, just like regional accents.

Want a sneak peek? Check out this video from Deaf Aotearoa. For the complete guide, we have the NZSL Dictionary in the library, or this shorter collection of important signs for beginners.

Ara is running NZSL taster classes where you can learn some NZSL for yourself:

Monday 8th May, 12-1pm, Rakaia Centre atrium, City Campus

Wednesday 10th May, 12-1pm, Library (near the big TV), City Campus

We hope to see lots of you there.

New Zealand Sign Language Week

May each year sees Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand organise New Zealand Sign Language Week.  A week which highlights one of New Zealands three official languages.  Go to Deaf Aotearoa’s site to learn more about what’s on this week and have fun  following the 7 signs in 7 days challenge.

 

New Zealand Sign Language Week : 13 – 19 May 2013

In recognition of  NZSL week why not sign “Good morning, how are you” to someone today. Here’s how.

To find out more about NZ sign language see the Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand website.

Here are some video series from Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand for 25 signs you can use at home, work and play.  

Learn more terms using the Online Dictionary of NZ Sign language and find a PDF for the alphabet here.

Te Kete Ipurangi has a range of introductory resources on their Thumbs up  website.

You can also find in our Library A concise dictionary of New Zealand sign language and The NZSL handbook: a selection of 480 basic signs

Are you going to give it a go? Yes! Good on you, that’s awesome!

NZ Sign Language Week

April 30th – 6th May 2012 is New Zealand Sign Language Week – I am Deaf, let’s talk.

In 2006 the New Zealand Sign Language Act came into effect, making NZSL an official language in Aotearoa, along with English and Maori.

Sign Language Week is a celebration, promoting the use of signing, and raising awareness of the issues faced by the deaf community. Deaf Aotearoa has an excellent website which provides access to resources for learning NZSL. Attend a free class, or watch a video in the “learn at” series.

CPIT Library has several resources including A Concise Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language.

 

 

 

 

There is also an Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language , and the Deaf Studies Research Unit at Victoria University provides useful information and links.

Learn to sign, and join the community of 24,000 New Zealanders who communicate using New Zealand Sign Language.