Wits student brings fresh perspective on sign language to Rotary Club
At Parkview Golf Club, Alaesun Lee shared an inspiring talk on South African Sign Language, weaving together language, culture, and inclusion.
The Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn’s weekly gathering at Parkview Golf Club on October 1 took on a unique energy when guest speaker Alaesun Lee, a Wits University student, delivered a compelling talk titled South African Sign Language: Building Bridges of Understanding.
Read more: Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn welcomes their new president
Lee, who is currently studying South African Sign Language (SASL) and psychology, offered insights into the rich and complex world of SASL. She explained that the language draws from British, Irish, and American influences, but goes far beyond hand movements. Facial expressions, body positioning, and eye contact are equally vital in communication.
“Sign language is not bound by geography,” she explained. “It’s a culture built on shared language, values, and ways of connecting.”
In her talk, Lee also drew attention to the challenges facing deaf education in South Africa, from under-trained teachers to inadequate resources, leaving many school leavers with poor literacy. She stressed that even in supposedly inclusive spaces, simple measures like visual fire alarms are often overlooked.
Also read: Rosebank Rotary Club raises over R23 000 for global and local causes
For Lee, the topic is both academic and deeply personal. A Roedean alumna who matriculated in 2022, she has experience in social media, entrepreneurship, and now volunteers at a cat shelter. She enjoys creative pursuits such as photography and jewellery design. As an autistic person, she said, she brings a unique perspective to her studies and her work, particularly in exploring how language and psychology shape inclusion and communication.
“This is what inspired me to focus today’s talk on South African Sign Language,” Lee told Rotarians. “True inclusion means seeing communication in all its forms, and valuing every voice, even those expressed through hands.”
Her talk left members reflecting on the everyday ways communities can bridge divides by learning basic sign language, advocating for better policy, and opening themselves to different perspectives.
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!
