Chloe is thrilled to teach us some common words and phrases in Auslan! Learn with Chloe and help bridge the gap between hearing and deaf people.
This beautiful soul is Chloe. She works as an administration assistant at Endeavour Foundation Support Centre and attends one of our Learning and Lifestyle Centres. She is gradually losing her hearing and has been learning Auslan with her family.
Chloe is thrilled to teach us some common words and phrases. In learning these signs, you will be able to communicate with anyone who is hearing impaired!
Auslan (Australian sign language) is a language developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired.
It helps to communicate with those who are deaf or to those who have trouble hearing and communicating things to people, like how they are feeling.” Chloe said. “It can also promote better awareness about deaf people and the hard of hearing to the hearing community.
Chloe, Endeavour Foundation Administration Assistant
Support Chloe on her Auslan journey and learn to sign in the process!
Please note that Chloe is left-handed. If you are right-handed, sign with the right hand (especially fingerspelling). Your movements should be an exact mirror image of a left-handed person’s. Mixing between these can impact clarity so try to stick with one hand.
With words that require you to sign with both hands, the hand you write with is always the top hand.
Tip: You can slow down or speed up the video depending on your skill level.
Download the A3 poster for a visual reminder of the Auslan alphabet.
A – dominant hand points to thumb on opposite hand.
B – both index fingers meet thumbs to create a circle.
C– dominant hand forms C shape using index finger and thumb.
D– dominant hand makes C shape meeting opposite hand which is pointed.
E– dominant hand points to index finger on opposite hand.
F– dominant hand on top, both hands have index and middle fingers pointed.
G – both hands in fists, dominant hand on top.
H – both hands flat, dominant hand makes sweeping motion across opposite palm.
I – dominant hand points to middle finger on opposite hand.
J – dominant index finger traces J shape from tip of opposite middle finger to tip on opposite thumb.
K – dominant hand forms bend of K shape behind opposite arm, opposite hand pointed.
L – dominant hand lies pointed on opposite palm.
M – three middle fingers on dominant hand lie pointed on opposite palm.
N – index and middle fingers on dominant hand lie pointed on opposite palm.
O – dominant hand points to ring finger on opposite hand.
P – dominant hand makes circle shape using index finger and thumb at the tip of pointed opposite index finger.
Q – dominant index finger hooks at the bottom of opposite hand forming circle shape using index finger and thumb.
R – dominant index finger forms lower-case R shape on palm of opposite hand.
S – hook both pinkie fingers together, dominant hand at the bottom of the S.
T – dominant index finger points to middle of opposite palm.
U – dominant hand points to pinkie finger on opposite hand.
V – dominant index and middle fingers form V shape on opposite palm.
W – interlock fingers on both hands.
X – both index fingers cross to make X shape.
Y – dominant index finger lies between opposite thumb and index finger on back of opposite hand.
Z – dominant hand points with all fingers together against middle of opposite palm.
The seven-part visual podcast series, Deaf Ways by SBS and Deaf Australia explores stories and perspectives of Deaf people from all walks of life in celebration of Deaf culture and language. Episodes include:
Available to view on SBS On Demand, YouTube or Apple Podcasts
After watching this week’s video, try practising reading back fingerspelling using Auslan Signbank’s word simulator.
The simulator will spell out a word at your desired speed and you can either replay or reveal the word. The Auslan letters are also visible if you need assistance.
