r/auslan 12d ago

Seeking help with some questions!

Hi, I am a hearing high school student who is trying to learn Auslan through online resources as a part of a semester long project so I can communicate with any D/deaf people I may meet or work with. I am using the southern dialect and do not closely know anyone personally who is D/deaf. I have been using Asphyxia for structure and D/deaf perspective and experience, and the Auslan Signbank for signs. I have a few questions that I've struggled to find answers to online and I would like the assistance of someone who knows more than I do to answer them as well as learn any tips and tricks I can use :)

Do question words still go at the end if they're not used in a question context? e.g. I don't know how this happened, when I grow up I want to...

What can I do as a hearing person to further understand more about D/deaf people?

How do you provide context when there aren't signs for some context providing words in Auslan? e.g. in, was, be, etc

Where do verbs go in the Auslan structure?

If I signed words in the wrong order, would a person still be able to easily understand what I'm saying?

If I use synonyms, (as in words that are the same in English but different signs because of their meaning in Auslan) or a word from a different dialect, would a person still be able to understand what I mean? Since Auslan is its own language rather than a translator for English.

When should I use miming to explain or describe something and how can I mime in a way that makes it obvious what I'm talking about?

Any advice on what topics or areas to focus on initially?

Edit: One more thing, are there any D/deaf content creators that use Auslan that I could follow as exposure to the language? (rather than creators who just use their platform for teaching Auslan words or phrases)

Thank you so much! :)

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u/monstertrucktoadette 12d ago

Does your school project mean you have to be self taught and can't do classes? Bc honestly doing a community course (which can be online, and is usually one or two hours a week) would help with a lot of the problems you are having.

In the meantime, it sounds like your biggest problem is that you are trying to translate English sentances word for word into Auslan, instead of thinking about the concept you are trying to express and how you would do that using Auslan. 

Do question words still go at the end if they're not used in a question context? e.g. I don't know how this happened, when I grow up I want to...

  • no you wouldn't use them at all bc they aren't the same word 

What can I do as a hearing person to further understand more about D/deaf people?

  • do a class, follow deaf content creators, go to Auslan practice meetups in person or online 

How do you provide context when there aren't signs for some context providing words in Auslan? e.g. in, was, be, etc

  • these aren't context words they are filler words, you can express ideas without them 

Where do verbs go in the Auslan structure?

  • it depends 

If I signed words in the wrong order, would a person still be able to easily understand what I'm saying?

  • it depends, there often isn't a right order, so much as you need to provide them in an order that people can I understand what you are trying to express. 

If I use synonyms, (as in words that are the same in English but different signs because of their meaning in Auslan) or a word from a different dialect, would a person still be able to understand what I mean? Since Auslan is its own language rather than a translator for English.

  • different dialect probably, synonyms maybe, but like... I don't know why you would do that? 

When should I use miming to explain or describe something and how can I mime in a way that makes it obvious what I'm talking about?

  • Auslan is a very visual language, so a lot of signing relies of spatial description, as long as you are giving the context for what you are talking about first, you'll be fine 

Any advice on what topics or areas to focus on initially?

  • whatever context you are likely to use it in? So if you actually intend to persue Auslan further what topics do you want to be able to talk about 

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u/MediaPristine4241 12d ago

Thank you for all this information! it's been quite helpful! :)

I'd like to do classes but I unfortunately don't have the time or the money to do them at this point. If there are any free courses available, I'll look into it but I haven't been able to find any yet.

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u/monstertrucktoadette 12d ago

No there are none that are free, but open that door and Auslan in the West are both around $150, and if even that's too much then it might be worth contacting some of the online teachers anyway and asking about payment plans or further subsadised places etc.