AUSLAN TUTOR - KEY SIGN VERSION - WHAT'S WHAT
This is a wonderful free app available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. There are 150 Auslan signs in this app. Each sign has a window showing handshape for the sign and then a video clip of the sign being done.
There is no voice over with this program - you just watch the video clip and learn. It is very well produced and RIDBC should be proud of themselves.
If you are not aware even though Auslan is Australian sign language, there can be times when a variation that is being done may not be what is done in your particular region.
If you find that you are not sure about which sign to do then one thing that you can do is go to www.auslan.org and look up the sign and look at the regional map that will be below the version of the sign being done.
Another is to ask one of the Deaf organisations in your area for verification.
When people ask about sign language one of the most common questions in relation to children using sign language to augment communication is 'Is this Auslan'. With Key Word Signing we use signs borrowed from the deaf community, so yes they are Auslan, but used differently:
- Always use voice when signing
- Only sign the Key Words (The most important ones)
- Always done in correct word order
- We may use 'one sign for 'a number of different words' rather than cause confusion for someone with a limited understanding by introducing more signs than really necessary.
i.e. I may use the sign 'yum' and use the words 'yum' or 'delicious' linking both to that sign rather than seperating and using the more complex sign 'delicious' therefore simplifying the sign language needed.
This at times causes some consternation to those using sign language within the deaf community as it may be felt that the language is being simplifyed too much or broken down. But for children/adults with speech and/or developmental delay this is what is most often done so that they and their carers are not expected to take in too much and expand their training beyound what is really needed.
So keeping this in mind I have been thru the 'Key Sign' Auslan Tutor version and have checked each sign available.
In the article -Key Sign - Auslan Tutor - signs you can use but slightly different
I have written a list that advises of signs that are similar enough to be okay to use (to what is used within Australia's Key Word Sign community (formerly known as Makaton)). In some instances only one sign is available yet we use two versions so you will have to find the other.
In the next article is the list of signs not to be used
The next list are signs that have not been used todate within the Key Sign community so I suggest that you look up other versions of these either in one of the 'Key Sign' (Formerly Makaton) books or check at www.auslan.org or your local supporter of 'Key Word' sign.
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