Deaf New Zealanders will have better access to the country's
third official language with today's launch of a multimedia
sign language dictionary.
The online database contains about 4000 New Zealand Sign
Language (NZSL) signs, accompanied by line drawings and video
clips to show how to produce each sign and how the signs are
used in context.
"This is a unique national resource that enables public
access to New Zealand's third official language," David
McKee, director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit at
Wellington's Victoria University, said.
"The development of an online, bilingual dictionary raises
the public profile and accessibility of NZSL for all New
Zealanders."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Penny Boumelha said the
online dictionary continued a tradition of Victoria leading
the way in championing NZSL.
"Since the mid-1980s, Victoria University has led research
and documentation of NZSL. This work has made a significant
contribution to achieving recognition of NZSL as an official
language in 2006, and to improving societal understanding of
the NZSL community.
"As we have seen in the aftermath of the Christchurch
earthquakes, sign language has provided crucial assistance to
New Zealand's deaf community during press conferences.
"Access to information becomes a precious commodity in times
of civil emergency, making this new website an invaluable
resource," she said.
The new online dictionary builds on the work of Professor
Graeme Kennedy who edited the first dictionary of NZSL in
1997 and also founded the Deaf Studies Research Unit.
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