Why is it important to learn Auslan?

Learning Auslan increases memory retention and motion processing while stimulating brain development and mental flexibility. Taking the time to learn Auslan as a second language not only gives you a lifelong skill but increases your ability to communicate with members of the Australian deaf community.

How does Auslan contribute to society?

The formal study of Auslan contributes to the overall intellectual and social enrichment of both first language (L1) and second language (L2) learners by providing: opportunities for engagement with the Deaf community and insight into its rich cultural heritage.

Why are sign languages so important?

Important for Deaf people Sign languages are an extremely important communication tool for many deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Sign languages are the native languages of the Deaf community and provide full access to communication.

Why is Auslan so important to deaf people?

Sign language varies across continents like Australian Sign Language (Auslan), American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL). Preserving these languages are an important way to preserve Deaf culture and ensure accessibility in communication and expression.

Why is Auslan not taught in schools?

TAFE NSW offers a Certificate II in Auslan, as presented by the Deaf Society. It said it found it increasingly difficult to find employable Auslan trainers despite offering classes to the public. However, one reason public schools do not offer Auslan as a second language is due to a lack of trained Auslan teachers.

How easy is it to learn Auslan?

It uses its own unique signs, grammar and expressions. Many people think that Auslan is exclusively for Deaf people, but this is not true! Another misconception about Auslan is that it’s difficult to learn. Obviously, learning any new language can take years to master, but it is also easy to get started.

How many people are mute in Australia?

Though the precise number of signing deaf people in Australia is unknown, recent research suggests that there may only be about 6,500.

What percentage of Australia is deaf?

One in six Australians currently suffer from hearing loss. This number is expected to rise to one in four by 2050, thanks to an ageing population and an increasing amount of people being exposed to dangerously loud noise.

Is ASL a dying language?

American Sign Language could be a dying form of communication, thanks to dwindling education funding and technological alternatives. Many deaf people are adamant that sign language will always be essential, but state budget cuts are threatening to close schools that teach it.

Why is the deaf community tight knit?

The Deaf (with a capital ‘D’) are a tight-knit community. They view deafness not as a medical condition to be cured, but as a cultural identity to be celebrated. It’s a view that the hearing find difficult to understand.

What is Auslan short for?

The term Auslan is an acronym of Australian Sign Language, coined by Trevor Johnston in the early 1980s, although the language itself is much older.