News Alert |

Auslan will be the feature of a special Little Languages event at the Ballarat Library tomorrow. 

As part of the first International Day of Sign Languages and as part of National Week of Deaf People and International Week of the Deaf, the City of Ballarat’s Deaf Access and Ballarat Libraries will present Little Languages in Auslan. 

Briana, a member of the Deaf community will read a story to the Little Languages participants – children aged from three to five – in Auslan. She will be assisted by another Deaf community member, Ellen. The reading will be interpreted into spoken English through Auslan Interpreters. There will also be some singing in Auslan and the opportunity to learn some basic Auslan. 

Auslan, which is short for Australian sign language, is a language developed by and for Australians who are Deaf. This visual form of communication uses hand, arm and body movements to convey meaning. 

The event aims to celebrate and promote diversity within the community, celebrate other cultures, recognise other forms of communication and create awareness of the Deaf community. 

Little Languages is a free intercultural storytime session that features singing and dancing and is held every Tuesday at 10.30am at the Ballarat Library.