New Zealand Sign Language is one of the official languages of New Zealand. This week, for New
Zealand Language week, (and for literacy,) we are learning about this language, and thinking more
about why this is unique.
NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) is the 12th most frequently used language out of approximately
190 languages (that’s quite a lot.) in New Zealand according to a census in 2006. In 1880 New
Zealand Sign Language (or NZSL,) sign language in schools for the Deaf was banned. It became an
official language of New Zealand in April 2006. NZSL is not just fingerspelling, and there are
different easy to say different things.
It’s a combination of hand shapes, body movements, and facial expression. It even has a whole week
based on it, (this week.) NZSL is unique to NZ because It started, and is used in NZ. Also, it is a
natural language of the NZ deaf community, just like how Samoa, Tonga, and China have their own
languages, we have our three official languages (English, Te Reo, NZSL.) It was also developed, and
is native in New Zealand, and is special because it includes terms/expressions of Maori. NZSL is now
used everyday by different users, and in the NZ deaf community.
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