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Sign Language Week! Monday 9th - Friday 13th May, 2022

Presented by: Naomi Ngawati

 

Sign Language Week!

New Zealand Sign Language is unique to New Zealand and is the main language of New Zealand's Deaf community. NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) is a way of communicating using visual gestures and signs, this became an official language in April 2006. 

Why is New Zealand Sign Language an official language?

New Zealand Sign Language was made an official language of New Zealand "as a vehicle to promote and maintain the use of this language". It is the native language of Deaf New Zealanders, and they have no easy access to communication{s} without it!

New Zealand Sign Language Timeline

1880	Sumner School for Deaf opened in the 1880s in Sumner, Christchurch.   At Sumner School for Deaf students were educated only in spoken language skills (oralism).
1970	In the 1970s, Signed English was introduced in Deaf education.   Signed English uses signs in an English language structure.
1995	In 1995, NZSL was introduced at Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Auckland) and  soon after at van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Christchurch).
1997	The Concise Dictionary of NZSL was launched.   It was a landmark publication with over 4000 illustrated signs.
2006	The New Zealand Sign Language Act came into effect on 6 April 2006. This saw NZSL become an official language in New Zealand alongside English and Te Reo Maori.  Visit the Office of Disability Issue's website for more information about the history of the New Zealand Sign Language Act.
2011	NZSL Interpreters are used for televised media briefings following the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. The 5th anniversary of New Zealand Sign Language Week – 2nd-8th May 2011.

History!

NZSL is a natural language of the Deaf community and it reflects New Zealand culture by including signs for Maori terminology and concepts. There are more than 24,000 New Zealander's that use sign language daily. It is also the 12th most frequently used language out of 190 languages currently used in New Zealand.

Census 2018, Statistics New Zealand shows that approximately there are 4,599 deaf people who use NZSL as a form of communication and approximately 20,000 people in total who utilize NZSL (this includes parents who use this form of communication with their deaf child). 

Things to remember about NZSL!

• NZSL is a natural language that conveys information through a wide range of movements and expression.

• NZSL is not just finger spelling.
  

• NZSL is not a universal "Deaf" language.

• NZSL is not about miming or gestures.