2nd
L (F–10) F-2
Understanding
Language
variation and change - Elaboration 5
- understanding that there are two main Auslan dialects: the southern
dialect used in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the
Northern Territory; and the northern dialect used in New South Wales, Queensland
and the Australian Capital Territory
- viewing videoed examples of Auslan signers from different parts of Australia,
identifying the different signs used in southern and northern dialects, for
example, signs for colours and some numbers
- noticing that words such as proper nouns for names of people, places or
schools are borrowed from English by fingerspelling and mouthing, but some also
have sign names
- recognising that Auslan borrows from other languages just as English does, and
collecting words and signs used in their everyday lives that come from different
signed and spoken languages
- noticing the variation in ‘handedness’ between signers in relation to signs
and fingerspelling: right handers using their right hand as their dominant
(main) hand; left handers doing the opposite