Description
Sydney University and ASLITA are pleased to jointly host this event.
The Australian continent has always been a rich resource of sign languages, gesture and visual communication making it some of the oldest sign languages in the world. This is a PD opportunity to engage both deaf people, interpreters and hearing researchers in discussions about understanding the emergence of Blak Auslan in a safe space.
The online forum is a continuation of the Aboriginal Sign Language Forum that has been held at the University of Sydney since 2023 that have showcased the extensive and vibrant sign languages of our continent and one that we should be proud of.
The following themes will be explored:
- The emergence of Blak Auslan?
- Understand why Auslan is a product of European Settler Colonialism
- Understanding why cultural continuity and resistance to ‘Linguistic Imperialism’ (Phillipson & Meighan, 2025) is important to Deaf First Nations
- Learn about what it means to decolonise the sign linguistic field with ‘Etuaptmumk’ perspectives (two eye seeing)
- Unlearn cultural conditioning and dominant narratives in the Sign Language field.
- Learn some Blak Auslan to enrich your own knowledge and deepen your own understanding of its vitality.
Presenters will include:
- Rodney Adams
- Joanna Agius
We will also host a panel session including First Nations interpreters and their perspectives.