New Zealand Sign Language Week

— Posted inUncategorized — 2 min read

New Zealand Sign Language Week has just started. According to the information at Deaf Aotearoa web site:

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is unique to New Zealand and is one of our official languages.

NZSL is the natural language of the Deaf community in New Zealand; so it reflects the country’s culture by including signs for Maori terminology and concepts which can not be found in other sign languages or countries.

As one of the country’s official languages, more than 24,000 New Zealanders use NZSL daily. It is also the 12th most frequently used language out of approximately 190 languages currently used in New Zealand (Census 2006)

…

The New Zealand Sign Language Act came into effect on 6 April 2006, which made New Zealand Sign Language one of the three official languages of New Zealand alongside English and Te Reo Māori.

Following the recent tragedy of the Christchurch Earthquake on 22 February, the NZSL interpreters Jeremy and Evelyn played a significant roll in delivering crucial information to those with hearing impairment, as well as in promoting the language to the general public.

Apparently popularity of "Jeremy “the sign language guy” Borland" skyrocketed following his on-screen appearances behind the Mayor Bob, Civil Defence controller John and Police rescue controllers. (Photograph courtesy of 3 News on TV3, New Zealand. Click the picture for the original news.)

Deaf Aotearoa website has more information and learning resources, if you are interested in finding out more about NZSL.

:coffee:

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  1. You can only assume that it wasn't high because he fell off twice 😆

  2. …. and the gorilla is off while the samourai is out of here… :whistle: … those lost minds … :awww: . But interesting practical grammar 😀 .

  3. How abouut these?I fell out of the car.I fell down on the bridge.I climbed up on the bridge.I climbed up onto the car.As to DH's aversion to "off of", I'm bringing out the big guns in its support.Originally posted by Shakespeare(Henry VI pt II, act 2 scene 1):

    Earl of Suffolk. How camest thou so?Simpcox. A fall off of a tree.

  4. Originally posted by debplatt:

    I fell out of the car.I fell down on the bridge.I climbed up on the bridge.I climbed up onto the car.

    … :eyes: and still writing … 😆 PS: "off of" doesn't bother me it gives an accurate idea of what happens. Isn't English supposed to be a concise language ?

  5. Originally posted by debplatt:

    As to DH's aversion to "off of", I'm bringing out the big guns

    Thank you for that archaic example. :DOriginally posted by arduinna:

    the gorilla is off while the samourai is out

    It seems so, Sir! :knight: :p

  6. Excellent, that is just what I needed, I have a relation who is very pedantic about the use of "off of" in a sentence, I dont really have an issue with it at all (but by creating one here I get a good result) but now I know that the noble bard has used it I can shoot him down in flames next time I see him :devil: 😆

  7. Originally posted by arduinna:

    … and still writing …

    Hey, I could be an action hero. :lol:Originally posted by arduinna:

    Isn't English supposed to be a concise language ?

    Hmmm, probably better answered by you multilingual people.Originally posted by darkesthour:

    now I know that the noble bard has used it I can shoot him down in flames next time I see him

    I can't believe that I'm having a nerd fight by proxy. :eyes: I was looking at a linguist's site, and a rather academic flame war ensued when someone opened a forum topic by lamenting the use of "off of" (here if you're interested). The OED has traced its staying power for the past half millennium, and a forum participant quotes from the OED on its uses in literature. Apparently the first known usage occurred in 1450. Besides the archaic (:irked:) Shakespeare, "off of" has been used in the twentieth century by T.S. Eliot, and more recently in a BBC production of the play Poor Beast in the Rain.According to one of the forum participants:

    I think that Americans tend to favour "off of", but most other English speakers tend to favour "off". I guess this is probably the wrong place to ask this [i.e., "How can I explain to people that the phrase "off of" is grammatically incorrect?"], since many (most?) of the users here are probably Yanks.

  8. Originally posted by debplatt:

    According to one of the forum participants: …

    😆 That came off rather well. :pMy awareness and perspective of variations in English language is based on BBC's "The Story of English". Apparently American English retains somewhat older style than the modern British English. What was the definition of "archaic" again? :whistle:[Addendum]Found the relevant segment in Google Books. (The Story of English Robert McCrum, William Cran and Robert MacNeil (1986), Penguin Books 2002 edition, page 124)

    The English colonists in New England brought their language and usage with them, and British visitors to the United States today often note the unmistakable sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century characteristics still evident in American English, preserving features that are, to British ears, distinctly archaic.

    Deb, it seems your language is officially archaic. 😀

  10. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    English language is based on BBC's "The Story of English"

    I think I would enjoy this; it looks like I might be able to get it from the library.Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    Deb, it seems your language is officially archaic.

    :irked:I have heard that the French spoken in Quebec is similarly archaic (is that true, Olivier? are you out there?) It would be funny if those of us in the "New World" speak "archaically."Originally posted by darkesthour:

    Or officially correct perhaps

  11. I dont think I can use old Mick as a convincing argument in this case…

  12. Well, if its good enough for Eliot and Shakespeare, its good enough for me :yes: And oh yes, what fun i shall have with this information :yes: :devil:

  14. Its Shakespeare that will win the day I reckon, I will keep you informed of events 😀

  15. And let's not forget the Rolling Stones, Get off of my cloud… although Mick Jagger may not cut it with your scholarly friend.

  16. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    IMO being "archaic" isn't a bad thing.

    I've just been joshing you, MM. I don't mind. 😀

  17. Originally posted by debplatt:

    It would be funny if those of us in the "New World" speak "archaically."

    You live in an archaic new world. 😀 IMO being "archaic" isn't a bad thing. The word "archaic" implies class, history, elegance, steadiness, stability and other good qualities, at least to me. :up: Look at DH. He seems very happy finding out he can brag his linguistic quirk for being as archaic as the Bard. Originally posted by darkesthour:

    what fun i shall have with this information

    I wish you luck in your linguistic battle, my lord. Smite thy foe! :knight:

  20. Reminds me of Monty Python, could you imagine Sir Mick in pursuit of the Holy Grail?

  21. Originally posted by mimi_s_mum:

    I didn't realise being knighted would elevate a commoner to an aristocrat.

    Uhh… maybe it doesn't. I was just looking this up and I learned that an aristocrat had to have a hereditary title. I don't think Sir Mick's title counts. :awww:

  24. Originally posted by darkesthour:

    I dont think I can use old Mick as a convincing argument in this case…

    Surely you can. He is a knight, Sir Michael. That ought to carry an impact. :DOriginally posted by debplatt:

    he's an aristocrat.

    :confused: Is he? I didn't realise being knighted would elevate a commoner to an aristocrat. Well, archaic aristocrat, then. :p

  25. Originally posted by darkesthour:

    Yes, but not through any literary prowess

    Probably not 😆

  27. Originally posted by darkesthour:

    Sir Mick in pursuit of the Holy Grail?

    I heard that he's already got one. 😀

  28. Archaic attic comes with a complete set of twenty holy grails … Sounds like a good sale pitch 😀

  31. Interesting, which sales pitch would work better -Mick Jaggers house for saleHouse for sale with 20 grails in the attic:D

  32. You mean the DIY :pThis is a holiday week (three national holidays in right middle of working week) in Japan and I'm having a forced holiday week myself. Such a pain … 😀

  35. You could go out taking pictures today, then spend all weekend posting

  38. I might do that. It's been all wet and hopeless but today is not as bad as the last few days. … I've just looked out over the hills and now fog and drizzle are moving in! :irked:

  39. Oh dear, how terrible for you 😆 Enjoy today, from what I hear the weather is going to be shocking this weekend

  40. Ideal indoor day for online indulgence :DNow you know how I could two posts, create a new photo album and upload 20+ photos all captioned within a couple of days. :whistle:

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