Talk Sign 2018 launch a success
Talk Sign’s mission is to create awareness among the South African hearing community while promoting Sign Language.
HUNDREDS of guests graced The Pavilion Hotel for the launch of the 2018 Talk Sign campaign which aims to make South Africans sensitive to the needs of the deaf and hearing impaired last week
Justice Zak Yacoob who is the President of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society welcomed and addressed the guests before keynote speaker, Nayantra Kanaye who is the co-ordinator of the Deaf Programme in the Department of Information Technology at DUT shared her story.
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She told the audience how difficult it was bringing up two deaf children many years ago, when teaching Sign Language to deaf children was still frowned upon. She also explained why the launch of the first-ever Talk Sign 1 Sign Language Phrase Book was so vital to bridging the gap between the deaf and the hearing.
Guests enjoyed a buffet breakfast and were taught the five Sign Language phrases that have been highlighted for the new campaign. There was plenty of entertainment afterwards with Gugu Ntini who is deaf performing a poem in Sign Language and Talk Sign ambassador for the past five years and well-known celebrity, Lloyd Paul performing a rap song.
Talk Sign’s mission is to create awareness among the South African hearing community. This would promote Sign Language that, in turn, enables two-way communication.
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The long-term plan is to fully integrate the deaf community into schools, social and competitive sports, the workplace and all aspects of life. In a nutshell, the Talk Sign campaign aims to have South African Sign Language (SASL) approved as South Africa’s 12th official language.
Talk Sign Day is on 9 March and everyone can participate by buying a sticker for R10 and wearing it to promote deaf awareness and encourage the hearing to learn basic Sign Language.
To order stickers or the book, email alice@thealist.co.za or visit www.talksign.co.za for more info
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