Hands says it all
Kevin Stokes wishes more people spoke his language. He would also like to see it recognised, as New Zealand’s third official language, alng with English and Maori.
- Deaf Organisations
- Interpreting
- TV/Media
Taonga source:
Contact
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1993-011
Bibliographic source:
Contact, 23 September 1993, p.12
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
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2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1992
2003
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2003
1981
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf worker soon calms the nerves
Wellington has a new worker among the deaf. Pat Dugdale, profoundly deaf, has been made field officer by the New Zealand Association of the Deaf. Her job is to provide personal social service help and to liaise with organisations, welfare agencies, commercial institutions and lawyers on behalf of the deaf.
1986
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1986 (Vol. 22, No. 3)
2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
Inside Out: The Art of Signing
Inside Out produces a programme about New Zealand Sign Language, its value to the Deaf community as well as its artistic forms.
1989
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign language boost
Research on the complex sign language that deaf New Zealanders have created could push education authorities to recognise the language's authenticity. It has taken an American linguist to document the distinctive language.
1993
article – Taonga source: City Voice
Deaf viewers ask for a hand
People who can hear as well as see 'Reasonable Doubts' (TV3, 9.50pm Saturdays) might be surprised to learn that Deaf New Zealanders can understand deaf lawyer Tessa Kaufman’s sign language little better than they can. ASL, used by Deaf actor Marlee Matlin, is a foreign language here. My Deaf friends give it the thumbs up. But the failure of television in New Zealand to provide anything in NZSL is described as “a running sore” by Hilary McCormack.
1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 3)
2006
video – Taonga source: Handmade Productions Aotearoa
Sign of the Times: The Story of New Zealand’s Visual Language
In April 2006, New Zealand Parliament declared NZSL to be an official language - the culmination of a 20-year battle by the deaf community, and a true hallmark in the recognition of their native language. 'Sign of the Times' is about the deaf New Zealanders who fought to have their language recognised as a real language and as a viable means of communication. The film documents the community's celebration of the official recognition of their language and looks at the community's ongoing hopes and aspirations for their language and culture.
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The modern NZSL dictionary is launched
The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
2014
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Fewer Kiwis can use sign language
James Whale can speak as well as any 5-year old but sometimes he lets his hand do the talking. The Wellington boy and his family are among the dwindling number of Kiwis who can use NZSL.