Deaf Studies Research Unit (DSRU)
Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language Project
Currently DSRU, in collaboration with partner organisations are working on a three year project to develop an online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language. The project is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission through the Encouraging and Supporting Innovation (ESI) fund.
The purpose of the project is to expand access to NZSL by developing an online multimedia dictionary with about 5,000 NZSL signs. The dictionary will be available as a reference tool to a wide range of user groups in NZ and elsewhere, both within and outside the tertiary sector. Since the first Dictionary of NZSL was produced in the Deaf Studies Research Unit in 1997, sign language dictionary making has moved towards an electronic medium, which is ideally suited to the dynamic nature of sign language and interactive functionality.
The project started in 2008 and the online dictionary will be launched in July 2011.
Previous Projects
The Deaf Studies Research Unit (DSRU) was established in 1995 with the goal of conducting research on topics relating to Deaf people and their language in New Zealand. The first major work of DSRU was the production of A Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language, the first of its kind in New Zealand. This project was completed by a team of deaf and hearing researchers over the period 1992-1997. To order the dictionary, click here. Research on the lexicon and grammar of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is ongoing in the DSRU.
Other topics investigated in connection with the DSRU include the use of NZSL amongst Deaf people, description of NZSL grammar, sign language interpreting, curriculum development for teaching NZSL, the community and culture of Deaf people in New Zealand, Deaf people in education.
The DSRU conducted a three-year study (2005-2007) of sociolinguistic variation in NZSL, supported by the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of NZ. Using quantitative methods, the study is examining the relationship between variation in linguistic structures used by NZSL signers, and their social characteristics.
A recent research project investigated deaf children in mainstream classrooms in terms of their access to academic and social aspects of learning. The study gathered case study data on six children, and surveyed the views of national samples of parents, mainstream teachers, teacher aides, itinerant teachers of mainstreamed deaf students, and Deaf paraprofessionals. Reports on findings from this study can be accessed by clicking here.
Post-graduate Study
The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies welcomes applications for post-graduate study from students with appropriate academic backgrounds who wish to conduct thesis research in the area of Deaf Studies. Permanent research staff of the DSRU are Dr David McKee (Director) and Dr Rachel McKee.
For more information and resources on NZSL please click here.