Unisa empowers staff members with sign language workshop

On 19 and 20 February 2024, Unisa’s Library and Information Services (LIS) Department hosted its first hybrid workshop on South African Sign Language (SASL) at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus.

Workshop attendees putting theory into practice

In her opening statement, Dr Khomotso Marumo, Director: LIS, indicated that since SASL is one of the 12 official South African languages, LIS has decided to empower its staff by adding another language to their vocabulary, which will enable them to offer services to students of all abilities.

Marumo further explained that providing a SASL workshop for staff aligns with some of the university’s strategic objectives, including enhancing student success rates and ensuring transformed knowledge, epistemology and language. She indicated that it would not be possible to achieve these objectives without being able to communicate effectively with all students.

Language transformation

Dr Napjadi Letsoalo from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages in the College of Human Sciences eloquently articulated the challenges that continuously confront the deaf community. He explained that the community has been facing communication barriers and people have made little effort to learn SASL. He further explained that “we keep on referring to nine indigenous languages as they were previously marginalised languages, but we continue excluding sign language.”

Letsoalo added that the university has revised its language policy and is currently working on developing other languages that were previously marginalised. In doing this, the university is also attempting to ensure that SASL is developed since it was approved by the South African Government in 2023 as the 12^th official language.

He further stated that as of 19 February 2024, Unisa is moving one step closer to the deaf community by including LIS staff members in the development of SASL. In conclusion, he indicated that after this workshop, the university is hoping that staff members will be able to communicate using SASL.

Overcoming challenges

SASL interpreter Onkutlwile Mere and Prof Mpho Ngoepe

In support of this workshop, Professor Mpho Ngoepe, Executive Director: LIS, shared his words of encouragement on the second day of the workshop. He also emphasised that the deaf community has been discriminated against for many years and outlined the challenges faced by the community.

He continued: “LIS is of the view that it is best to start by capacitating staff members to serve the deaf community without experiencing any linguistic barrier, especially now that SASL has been made an official language. This is part of the transformation, and will be extended to other languages soon.”

According to Ngoepe, languages must not only be official on paper, but must also be implemented, and resources must be put aside to ensure that these policies are executed successfully. Ngoepe said that, in the future, he envisaged LIS developing a special unit where all students will be catered for. He stated: “There is a saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, it is our step towards that, and the library is also playing an important role in terms of language transformation – this is not only for SASL, but also for the indigenous languages that are marginalised.”

Ngoepe took the opportunity to remind attendees that the university would be celebrating International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2024. On this day, the focus would be on one of the marginalised languages (N|uu), which only has one fluent speaker in the world – her name is Katrina Esau, and she is 91 years old.

SASL versus street sign language

Ntombikayise Sukuza, a facilitator from the Wits Language School and Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), who is also a National Language Body (NLB) member, trained frontline staff on the basics of SASL.

Staff being put through their paces

Sukuza emphasised that facial expression is important when using sign language because this language can be easily confused with location or kasi signs. Attendees were also advised not to go beyond the signing space when signing – instead, they needed to sign within their location and maintain eye contact without focusing on their hands.

SASL interpreters, Onkutlwile Mere and Mpho Teme, also helped to ensure that all parties had equal access to information, by promoting inclusivity and making sure that the lessons ran smoothly.

Attending this workshop helped attendees to learn about the difference between deaf and hearing culture. These cultures differ in various ways, primarily in terms of communication, behaviour, rules and values. Sukuza explained that deaf culture often relies on sign language, facial expression and body language. On the other hand. hearing culture uses spoken language as its primary mode of communication and eye contact is not necessary.

As the lessons unfolded, LIS staff members demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity by communicating with the facilitator, language interpreters and each other. Using the five parameters of SASL (hand shape, location, movement, palm orientation and non-manual features) will foster a better relationship between staff members and students of all abilities.

LIS ensured that the workshop was audio and video recorded, and Ngoepe confirmed that LIS would stay in contact with the facilitators until staff members were fluent in SASL.

* By Busisiwe Manala, Marketing, Unisa Library and Information Services

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