iServi News | 4 December 2020 | Term 4, Week 8
During our Performing Arts classes, students with additional learning needs have explored different styles of dance and movement, including hip-hop, yoga, jazz and even sign language. Our students learnt some Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to perform on stage to the song ‘Colours Of The Wind’. Our students performed their dance live for the Performing Arts Showcase, joined by two solo artists, Year 9 student Jessica Pendlebury (SM3, Dance) and Year 7 student Isabella Naismith (SM7, Vocals).
Auslan uses its own linguistic system that is separate from English. Like all sign languages, Auslan is a visual-gestural language which means it uses movement to convey grammar and meaning at the same time.
Did you know that linguists have identified at least 137 different sign languages? This changes depending on the country. In Auslan, each sign is composed of five components. This includes hand shapes, location, orientation, movement and expression. Any change in them will alter the meaning of the sign, even the direction of the palm can change the entire meaning of the sign.
Ms Kara Beatty
Teacher
