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National Institute of Deaf Studies and Sign LanguageAbout NIDSThe National Institute of Deaf Studies and Sign Language (NIDS) was established in 1993 to provide a national focus for research into the Australian Deaf community, its language Auslan (Australian Sign language), its culture and the education of deaf students. It houses the Australian Sign Language Research Facility, funded by the federal government, which includes a professional production unit for making videos and a unique specialist library. The Institute is involved in the coordination of a wide range of teaching and research projects and works closely with the deaf community. The library holds a special collection of material on sign language and deaf studies in addition to a unique laboratory for computer analysis of video-based sign language materials. The Institute thus offers outstanding facilities for postgraduate research for both deaf and hearing students. La Trobe's strengths in deaf studies, sign language research and teacher training are recognised nationally and internationally. As the only facility of its type in Australia, the Institute hosts many overseas visitors and runs a wide variety of workshops with academics from Europe, America and the United Kingdom. The staff of the Institute are involved in a wide range of research projects which vary from highly theoretical projects to those involved with the practical implications of research for the deaf community. The majority of the current staff are native users of sign language. Staff and postgraduate students work closely together. The Institute offers a friendly and stimulating environment and not only welcomes students who have a knowledge of sign language and the deaf community, but also welcomes those who wish to learn the language and become involved in the area. Principal areas of specialisationSign language linguistics, sociolinguistics of sign languages,
comparative studies of sign languages in Asia and the Pacific, and the
West, phonological and syntactic properties of fingerspelling, language
change, deaf culture and community and deaf history. International LinksThe National Institute of Deaf Studies maintains strong
links with other universities and deaf organisations throughout the world
involved in sign language research and teaching. The Institute welcomes
international students to study at La Trobe University. ConsultancyStaff from the Institute are available for consultancy of research work in the areas of language use, language teaching and language development, classroom evaluation and testing, curriculum development, and working with deaf people in industry. AuslanThe term Auslan is an acronym of Australian Sign Language. Although this is a relatively new name, it is not a new language. Auslan has its roots in British Sign Language. This language was brought to Australia in the early years of Australian settlement and since that time Australian deaf people have developed it as a distinct Australian language. No study to date has been able to gauge accurately the number of deaf people who use Auslan, but estimates suggest that the figure is around 30,000. Auslan is a visual/spatial language that uses the hands, arms, body and face to communicate. It is a language that requires face-to-face interaction between signers. The grammatical system of Auslan is one that is strongly linked to the use of space, a grammatical system that is completely independent of English. Sign languages are true linguistic systems. They are neither gesture nor pantomime but fully grammatical systems that are rule governed and systematic. Sign languages are not overwhelmingly iconic. Iconicity relates to that aspect of signs that renders them transparent. If you have ever come across deaf people signing you will no doubt have realised that they are incomprehensible to the uninitiated. Auslan uses a two-handed fingerspelling system which is unique to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. Other signing linguistic communities use one-handed fingerspelling.
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Content Approved by: Head of School Page maintained by: Office Administrator Last Updated: 20 February, 2009 |