SU’s Department of General Linguistics has embarked on a project that involves a children’s story that young speakers of various languages – including users of South African Sign Language (SASL) – and their parents can enjoy together.
This idea comes from work done by two Belgian siblings, Filip and Hilde Verhelst, who are Deaf themselves. They published a children’s book, entitled Gebarentaal Redt, in 2013, which comes with a bilingual DVD in Dutch and Dutch Sign Language to tell the story of Noah, a Deaf little lion, who goes diving with his friend Adam. Although Adam can hear, they are saved by the fact that they can use sign language when something goes wrong under water.
The Department of General Linguistics has bought the translation rights to the book and plans to release a book-and-DVD set in five South African languages. The South African version will make it possible for families to listen to Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa or isiZulu while watching the SASL story. Viewers would also be able to follow the story in the book, which contains the same pictures and a simplified version of the story as it is told on the DVD.
Prof Frenette Southwood, chair of the Department of General Linguistics, says they hope to release the first of three such stories on World Book Day (23 April). Interested parties may contact the editor, Vanessa Reyneke, for more information.
The Language Centre has two sign language interpreters who interpret for Deaf students in the Faculty of Education and for SU staff members. Contact Vicki for more information on SASL interpreting at the University.
