Category Archives: Sign Languages

2008 New Zealand Sign Language Week

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Kevin

As I wrote last year (2007 (First) NZ Sign Language Week), New Zealand has given official status to New Zealand Sign Language, the natural language of New Zealand’s Deaf community. New Zealand Sign Language Week is this week (May 5-11, … Continue reading →

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2007 (First) NZ Sign Language Week

Posted on May 8, 2007 by Kevin

Quick, what’s the official language of New Zealand? English? Wrong. It’s a trick question because there are three: English, Maori, and as of April 2006, New Zealand Sign Language (New Zealand Sign Language Act). Now they’re having their First New … Continue reading →

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British Sign Language mobile dictionary

Posted on March 19, 2007 by Kevin

Now Brits who want to communicate with the signing Deaf can get British Sign Language (BSL) signs downloaded to their cellphones/mobile phones. The Centre for Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol (site) has developed a free BSL dictionary called … Continue reading →

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Better cellphone video for Deaf signers?

Posted on February 14, 2007 by Kevin

If you use American Sign Language (ASL) or another sign language to communicate, how do you participate in the cellphone/mobile phone revolution? You don’t very much. You participate in the texting (and E-mail) revolution using written English or another language, … Continue reading →

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Sign-language literature book / DVD

Posted on January 15, 2007 by Kevin

The University of California Press has come out with a book (and accompanying DVD) that analyzes ASL storytelling, poetry, and drama: Signing the Body Poetic: Essays on American Sign Language Literature). paperback (978-0-520-22976-1): 29.95, £18.95 hardcover (978-0-520-22975-4): $65.00, £41.95 E-book … Continue reading →

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2006 BSL Learn to Sign Week

Posted on October 6, 2006 by Kevin

October 2–8, 2006, is Learn to Sign Week in Britain. Here’s the British Deaf Association’s official site for the campaign. British Sign Language isn’t related to American Sign Language. Not only are there different signs for the same concept, but … Continue reading →

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Signing animation, VR to teach math to Deaf

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Kevin

Two professors, sign language researcher Ronnie Wilbur and animator Nicoletta Adamo-Villani, at Purdue University (Indiana, U.S.) are developing computer animation and virtual reality (VR) using motion capture of human signing to teach math/maths to signing Deaf children via American Sign … Continue reading →

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2006 International Week of the Deaf

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Kevin

It’s International Week of the Deaf (National Association of the Deaf). Just a few quick facts to be aware of: There are many unrelated sign languages of the deaf in the world. American Sign Language is not related to British … Continue reading →

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Sign language sitcom in South Africa

Posted on August 8, 2006 by Kevin

South Africa has a new situation comedy with a cast and crew of deaf people. It’s called Rex’s Place. That’s great. Fifteen years ago in America we had the drama Reasonable Doubts with Marlee Matlin (deaf signer) and Mark Harmon … Continue reading →

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Inuit Sign Language and ASL recognition?

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Kevin

I posted a few days ago about an Inuit Sign Language gathering in Nunavut, Canada. Now there’s talk about Nunavut giving legal recognition to both native Inuit Sign Language and the larger deaf community’s American Sign Language (used in the … Continue reading →

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