This week I interviewed a couple of my classmates from my NZSL class to get a look at what their experience with NZSL was like. I came up with several questions to ask them about why they chose the paper and whether they would continue with the course in the next semester or maybe later in the future. I couldn’t include all their answers in this post, but I chose the most helpful or the most interesting.

 

Why did you choose to learn NZSL?

 

I chose NZSL for my paper this semester because I want to be able to speak with the deaf community. There was a student in one of my classes was interpreting for a deaf person the other day and I’ve seen a few people around the university signing with each other. It seems like a cool language. I’ve never communicated without speaking before other than in a game of charades and its sort of like a secret way to communicate with your friends since not many people know NZSL.

 

Do you think NZSL is a difficult language to learn?

 

It was really hard in the beginning, like in the first class cause I’m a super talkative person and when we went to our lab to record our videos it was such a relief. And if someone tells you that you’re not allowed to do something it makes you want to do it even more. That first class was the longest two hours of my life, but still fun. Also, now that I know a little bit more it’s more fun to communicate in sign. So, it’s not that hard to learn because a lot of the words are similar to how you would act it out like car and bus and stuff and not talking makes it faster to learn, but still a little hard.

 

What do you like about NZSL?

 

I like that its different to anything I’ve ever learned before and the teacher is so funny. I’m shy and when I communicate with sign language it pushes me to not be shy. Also, it’s really fun to talk to your friends in sign when other people can’t understand what you’re saying. People just stare at you like you’re crazy and it’s funny, but it’s cool that I can communicate without using my voice.

 

Have you found NZSL useful for you at all?

 

I don’t know if I would describe it as useful for me in my everyday life, but I went to where they filmed Lord of the Rings, you know where all the hobbit houses are? And there was a group of deaf people there signing in NZSL. So, I walked over to them and tried to communicate with them and they could understand me! It was great, I could understand a little of what they were saying.

 

What challenges have you faced so far?

 

The biggest challenge for me I think is not being able to speak for so long cause I talk all the time, but it’s also really challenging to remember to use expressions and mouth words when I sign and I end up looking like a serial killer with my eyes super focused and my face looks so… emotionless and serious cause I’m trying to remember the signs in my head. I have to work on that.

 

Do you think you will continue learning NZSL after this semester?

 

Maybe, it depends on what other papers I have to take. It’s really fun and I’m definitely going to consider it. I like that I can kind of talk to deaf people now and if I learn more it will get easier and easier to communicate, it’s a fun language to learn.

 

Do you have any advice for anyone who is learning NZSL or who might be interested in learning?

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Don't be afraid! When I first went to class I was so nervous, but everyone was super chill and class is so fun. Just relax cause everyone signs differently, like how everyone has a unique accent or voice. Once you know the signs your expressions will come naturally, like how you play charades. You don't just stand there blank-faced. If you're interested in learning, go for it. You won't regret it.