New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is an official and unique language of New Zealand; it is the language of New Zealand’s Deaf community. Like other signed languages, NZSL uses the hands, body and facial expressions (including lip patterns) to express meaning. NZSL has its own grammatical structure and ways of expressing ideas.
NZSL Week is organised by Deaf Aotearoa to raise awareness of the language and culture of New Zealand’s Deaf community. It is usually held in the first week of May, but was cancelled due to the lockdown, so has been postponed to this week. This coincides nicely with the International Week of the Deaf and the United Nations International Day of Sign Languages held on 23 September.
Find out more about Deaf Aotearoa, NZ Sign Language Week, tips on how to communicate with a Deaf person and 25 signs related to work that you can practice here (flick through the document using the arrows)
Want to learn how to sign your name? Download this finger spelling NZSL poster and learn how to introduce yourself in NZSL.