2nd L (F–10) 9-10
Understanding
Language variation and change - Elaboration 5
- recognising that there is a greater degree of flexibility and variability
in ‘oral’, face-to-face languages such as Auslan compared to spoken/written
languages passed on from parents to children, for example, less standardisation
and minimal ‘frozen texts’, and considering reasons for such differences
- researching different aspects of variation in the use of Auslan, considering
influences such as geographical location, social groupings, history, educational
experience, age of learning, family background and contact with Signed English
or other languages
- debating the merits and disadvantages of creating a standard form of Auslan,
for example the benefits of mutual comprehensibility versus the practical
problems involved in who decides on the standard and how to get signers to
comply
- considering the effect that expanding sign language interpreter services might
have on standardising Auslan, especially in the areas of education and medicine.
- noticing ways people might adapt language according to situation of use, such
as when signing to a large audience, the use of one hand or two, clarity of sign
production, size of signing space, pace, NMFs, pauses and amount of
fingerspelling
- considering how Auslan has been influenced by the use of Signed English in
education settings (especially from the 1970s to 1990s) and cultural attitudes
towards Signed English