Learn how to sign using New Zealand Sign Language
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is uniquely ours and one of the three official languages of Aotearoa.
It is the language of New Zealand’s Deaf community that combines the use of the hands, body and facial expressions. It is a language that is ESSENTIAL and for everyone.
We’ve seen lots of examples of NZSL in use over the past few years. When our Prime Minister (Jacinda Ardern) and Director General of Health (Ashley Bloomfield) update us on Covid-19, they always have someone translating what they say in NZSL.
New Zealand Sign Language week (9 - 15 May 2022) is the perfect time to learn the basics and try signing with your friends…
Try New Zealand Sign Language and be in to win…
To celebrate New Zealand Sign Language Week, we have TEN New Zealand Sign Language Week prize packs to giveaway.
To ENTER: check out all the amazing beginner’s resources below, then complete the entry form (using the button below) to tell us what you did to recognise New Zealand Sign Language Week. Whether you learned to sign the Baby Shark song, tried using some of the basic signs below (when talking with others), or started to learn the NZSL alphabet, we want to know what you did to celebrate this special language.
New Zealand Sign Language videos…
Learn to sign the Baby Shark song
Secretly sign with friends…
Learn New Zealand Sign Language that you can use everyday…
Happy
Hold your non-dominant (non-writing) hand at the middle of your torso, palm facing upwards; then take your dominant hand palm facing downwards (as if to clap). Clap the upper palm, move it in a clockwise direction, skim lower palm on its way back around.
Sad
Take your flat dominant hand, bring it to your nose so that your palm is facing sideways and the side of your index finger is touching your nose. Slowly drag your hand down your nose vertically.
Mum
With your dominant hand flat, tap the side of your forehead twice with the fingertips.
Dad
Making a flat looking zero with your dominant hand, tap the side of your forehead twice with your gathered fingertips.
Brother
Bring both your fists together, palms facing each other, knuckles touching. Rub fists together at the fingers, up and down, twice.
Sister
Make a fist but curve your index finger, like a hook. Bring the hook to the bridge of your nose and tap twice.
Hungry
Take your flat open dominant hand, place it on your torso with your palm touching your tummy, and make small circles against your tummy.
Sleep / nap / bed
Take your flat hand, place it on the side of your head, and lean your head into your palm.
Cat
Bring your thumbs and index fingers to your face, thumb tips to the sides of your chin. Move your hands apart (outwards) as you close your index finger to your thumbs. Do that whole movement twice.
Dog
Bring both of your flat hands, bent and relaxed at the wrist, to the front of your torso. Move your arms up and down from the elbow, lightly.
Want to learn more NZSL?
Thanks to Deaf Aotearoa, anyone can learn and practice the basics of New Zealand Sign Language using their downloadable, printable posters.
Click on either the “Essential Signs for communicating with a Deaf Child” poster image OR the “NZSL Alphabet” poster image to download a printable copy so you can practice your sign language at home!