Auslan

Sign language is at the centre of Deaf culture and community. In Australia, the Deaf community's language is known as Auslan - Australian Sign Language.

Auslan and other signed languages around the world are highly nuanced with a complete set of linguistic structures. In Australia, two dialects have emerged: a Southern dialect and a Northern dialect. Beyond these, variation occurs, as with all languages due to a wide range of factors including local use of terms, availability of community programs and/or technologies. Several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sign languages exist that are unrelated to Auslan, for example.

Ravi and Emma' is an interactive documentary in Southern Dialect Auslan. It provides an opportunity to engage with Auslan through story. It is not an endorsed instructional language tool.

Further information about and links to Auslan learning resources is available here:
https://deafnav.com.au/understand/communication/auslan/learn-auslan

Ravi was born to two Deaf parents and learnt Southern Dialect Auslan and Singapore Sign Language as a baby. It is his first language. Emma started learning Auslan in 2012 and now embraces it as her second language. She continues to improve her fluency. For the purpose of this project Emma speaks English and signs Auslan at the same time, which impacts the grammatical accuracy of Auslan.

Navigation

The story is told in three chapters by Ravi and Emma as follows:

You can use specific Auslan signs to navigate through the story.

You can change perspectives at any time.

This is the sign you can use to go to Ravi's POV

This is the sign you can use to go to Emma's POV

Browser and room setup

Device compatibility

Laptop or desktop computer with minimum screen width 1024px, minimum screen height 576px. This corresponds to an aspect ratio of 16:9. If your screen is smaller than this, or you are using a mobile or tablet, some content may not be visible, or you will be prompted to try on a different device.

Browser compatibility

Internet speed

A minimum of 2.5 Mbps sustained speed.

Positioning the screen

Please ensure you are in a well-lit room. Avoid bright backlighting such as a bright window behind you.

Position yourself so your torso and head are visible in the webcam.

You can click on this icon when it appears at the bottom left of the screen to check that your hands are visible to the camera for the signs to work.

Make sure your hands are not gloved or obscured from the camera by your sleeves.

Sign language is at the centre of Deaf culture and community. In Australia, the Deaf community's language is known as Auslan - Australian Sign Language.

Auslan and other signed languages around the world are highly nuanced with a complete set of linguistic structures. In Australia, two dialects have emerged: a Southern dialect and a Northern dialect. Beyond these, variation occurs, as with all languages due to a wide range of factors including local use of terms, availability of community programs and/or technologies. Several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sign languages exist that are unrelated to Auslan, for example.

'Ravi and Emma' is an interactive documentary in Southern Dialect Auslan. It provides an opportunity to engage with Auslan through story. It is not an endorsed instructional language tool.

Further information about and links to Auslan learning resources is available here: https://deafnav.com.au/understand/communication/auslan/learn-auslan