HomePublicationsNFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

Some of the items featured in the March 1990 issue of ‘NFD Journal:

  • An in-depth explanation how Teletext subtitles are made, accessible for viewers who have Teletext television sets.
  • Shake Awake, a new portable vibrating alarm clock is advertised!
  • The Auckland Sign Singers participated in the opening ceremony of the 1990 Commonwealth Games, part of the 600 strong choir. They also performed ‘Two Strong Hearts’ on a televised New Years Eve ceremony at Bastion Point. 
  • Dulcie McKie talks about her classes in NZ Sign Language at Auckland Deaf Society, where she is teaching along with three other tutors. 
  • Kevin Stokes reports on the Deaf Way 1989 conference in Washington D.C. describing it as “mind-blowing!”
  • Marianne Collins-Ahlgren’s PhD – ”her thesis has enhanced the status of NZSL and will contribute to the provision of interpreting services for the Deaf Community”
  • Deaf Organisations
  • TV/Media
NZSL story – Taonga source: Susie Ovens

Switching Between Modes: Total Communication on Stage, NZSL Off

Susie Ovens shares her memories of the well-known Deaf Sign Singers group founded by Dulcie McKie, which used a Total Communication approach. She knew it wasn’t natural signing, and the group would often relax and switch to NZSL during breaks. Still, Susie recalls the performances having a strong impact, especially on hearing audiences who were moved by the group's energy and visual expressions.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

Shona McGhie and the Magic of the Auckland Sign Singers

Shona McGhie reflects on her time with the Auckland Sign Singers, a group that helped raise awareness of Deaf culture and showed what Deaf performers could do. Rehearsals were often held at Dulcie McKie’s home, with support from Mac McKie and Gavin Gibbons. Shona recalls her favourite song and the challenge of remembering over 25 routines. It was a busy time full of travel, performance, and connection, and a chapter she looks back on fondly.
Taonga source:
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, NFDJ1990-4-1-MJN
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