Auslan Extra

Howdy Families, Carers and the Armstrong Creek community, 

Here is the 2nd edition of Auslan Extra…. 

So how did you go with the first one?; did you learn anything? 

I have received a few questions - I will answer two of the questions below and will provide answers to the other questions each fortnight going forward. 

One of the questions related to which hand should be used when signing. Well, I am glad you asked… Your dominant hand (the hand with which you usually throw, pick up a cup or write) leads. If a sign only requires one hand, use your dominant hand and if a sign requires two hands, the dominant hand leads and your non-dominant hand ‘supports’. 

This one isn’t really a question but it did challenge me as to the benefits of learning Auslan apart from communicating with deaf/hard of hearing people. It got me thinking and I’ve come up with what I think are the top 10 reasons for learning Auslan. Do you hear the drum roll… 

                10. You can communicate through a closed window 

                9. Sign Language is a 3D language 

                8. You can sign with your mouth full 

                7. Hearing parents can communicate with their deaf/hard of hearing child/ren 

                6. You can sign underwater

                5. Sign Language is a neat way to express yourself

                4. You can communicate across a room without shouting 

                3. Sign Language is beautiful 

                2. You can make friends with deaf/hard of hearing people 

                1. Auslan brings hearing and deaf people together as one community. 

Hopefully this provides enough reasons to learn! 

Bring on the questions and/or challenges and I will try my best to answer and share them within this community. 

In this YouTube clip, colours are demonstrated. Next fortnight will be a video related to the theme of “Greetings” with the students teaching you and not me. 

Enjoy, and happy learning. 

From Auslan team