Auslan Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Auslan is the sign language used by the Australian Deaf community.The word 'Auslan' comes from "australian sign language". It is not called ASL as that refers to American Sign Language.
It is related to British Sign Language (BSL) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), and the three may be considered dialects of the one language, BANZSL.
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2 Written and recorded Auslan 3 Dialects of Auslan 4 Other sign languages of Australia |
Auslan in relation to English
Auslan is a natural language, different from spoken or written English. Its (flexible) grammar and vocabulary often do not have direct English counterparts. English may be referred to as Auslan's host language, as the Deaf community, surrounded by English, inevitably draws from it. Signers make use of English words through fingerspelling. Some words are preferably fingerspelt even when there is an equivalent sign. Fingerspelling can also be used for emphasis, clarification, or (sometimes extensively) by English-speaking learners of Auslan. Some signs feature an English-word's initial letter (as a handshape from a manual alphabet) and use it within a sign. For example, the sign for "Canberra" resembles a "C" on a flagpole, while the sign for "team" uses "T" handshapes, but is otherwise the same as the sign for "group".
It is difficult to sign in Auslan and speak in English at the same time, especially as both languages have their own grammar and words. However, mouthing of an English word together with a sign may serve to clarify when one sign may have several English translations.
Unlike Auslan, Signed English was an attempt to artificially create a sign language with English grammar and English-like signs. It was, and still is, used largely in education as an attempt to provide a visual analogy of English and its grammar for children. The usage of Signed English in schools is controversial in the Deaf community, who regard Signed English as being contrived and unnatural. Signed English has now been largely rejected by Deaf communities in Australia; however a small number of its signs have made their way into normal usage.
However, the differences between the sign languages had little long-term impact, with any differences between dialects being relatively minor. The dialects are drawing closer together today due to the printing of Auslan dictionaries and increasing ease of travel within Australia. There seems to be little drive or need for any formal attempt at standardisation, as there is little difficulty in communication.
This is an Article on Auslan. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Auslan Written and recorded Auslan
Auslan has no written form. Transcribing Auslan is largely an academic exercise. Auslan dictionaries use either photographs or drawings with motion arrows to describe signs, or CD-ROMs containing short video clips. Auslan signers generally read and write in English. Video has been used to record stories and jokes (etc), as these especially lose a lot when translated to English.Dialects of Auslan
Auslan is a natural language, and varies somewhat between Australian states. Many of the regional differences are due to several different sign languages and dialects being used in the initial development of educational insitutes for the deaf in Australia. The first school for the deaf in NSW was established by a Scotsman, whereas in Victoria, the Victorian School for Deaf Children was founded by an Englishman, Frederick J Rose. Irish Sign Language also was of influence, being used in Catholic schools. Other sign languages of Australia
Also used in Australia is Walpiri Sign Language.