AsianScientist (Jun. 26, 2011) – Deaf people in New Zealand can now learn sign language on the internet, as the country has just launched a multimedia sign language dictionary with about 4,000 signs.
Founded by Graeme Kennedy who edited the first sign language dictionary in 1997, the online sign language dictionary is the result of a three year project by the Deaf Studies Research Unit (DSRU) of New Zealand’s Victoria University, in collaboration with Auckland University of Technology, Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, Kelston Deaf Education Center, and Van Asch Deaf Education Center.
“As we have seen in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, sign language has provided crucial assistance to New Zealand’s deaf community during press conferences,” said Victoria University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Penny Boumelha.
“Access to information becomes a precious commodity in times of civil emergency, making this new website an invaluable resource,” she said.
For example, one is able to learn the sign for ‘science’ using the online dictionary, and the sign is accompanied by line drawings and video clips.
The project is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission through the Encouraging and Supporting Innovation (ESI) fund.
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Source: Victoria University.
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