If you’re interested in learning how to say goodbye in Auslan, the Australian Sign Language, you’ve come to the right place! Auslan is a unique and expressive language used by the Deaf community in Australia. Saying goodbye is an essential part of any language, and Auslan has its own nuances and variations when it comes to bidding farewell. In this guide, we’ll explore formal and informal ways to say goodbye in Auslan, and provide you with some helpful tips and examples.
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Formal Ways to Say Goodbye in Auslan
When in a formal setting or communicating with someone you don’t know well, it’s important to use appropriate etiquette. Here are some formal ways to say goodbye in Auslan:
- Goodbye: Hold your open hand up with your palm facing forward. Move your hand from your face outward, in a sweeping motion.
- Farewell: Place your open hand flat against your chest and move it away from your body in a downward motion.
- Take care: Cross your arms over your chest and pat yourself on both sides twice with an open hand.
- Until we meet again: Extend both hands palm-up in front of you, and move them towards each other, then away, repeatedly.
Informal Ways to Say Goodbye in Auslan
When saying goodbye to friends, family, or in a more casual setting, you can use these informal Auslan phrases:
- See ya: Point your index finger towards yourself, then move it away from your body and downward.
- Catch you later: Point your index finger forward, then bring it back to touch your cheek twice.
- Bye-bye: Hold your open hand up with your palm facing downward. Bring your hand towards your shoulder and away, repeatedly.
- Take it easy: Hold your open hand up with your palm facing upward. Wiggle your fingers slightly and move your hand in a gentle wave motion.
Tips for Saying Goodbye in Auslan
Here are some tips to enhance your Auslan goodbye skills:
- Practice Facial Expressions: Auslan relies heavily on facial expressions to convey meaning and emotions. Pay attention to your facial expressions when saying goodbye to add depth to your signing.
- Mirror Native Speakers: Watch videos or attend classes with native Auslan speakers to observe their signing style and mimic their movements and gestures.
- Body Language Matters: Use appropriate body language and posture to enhance the message you want to convey. Stand tall, make eye contact, and maintain proper hand positioning throughout your signing.
- Sign with Confidence: Be confident in your signing abilities. Auslan is a visual language, and confidence can help convey your message more effectively.
- Be Mindful of Regional Variations: Auslan, like any language, may have regional variations. If you find yourself in a specific region where a different sign is commonly used for goodbye, try to adapt and learn from the local Deaf community.
Note: While Auslan is the main sign language in Australia, it’s essential to remember that regional variations can exist within the Deaf community. Stay open-minded and adaptable as you learn and interact with different signing communities.
Examples of Saying Goodbye in Auslan
Let’s now explore some examples of how to say goodbye in Auslan:
Example 1: Saying goodbye to a friend:
Sign: See ya
Translation: See you later
Example 2: Saying goodbye formally:
Sign: Farewell
Translation: Goodbye or farewell
Example 3: Saying goodbye to a group:
Sign: Take care
Translation: Take care, everyone
Example 4: Saying goodbye to a loved one:
Sign: Until we meet again
Translation: I’ll see you soon
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you practice signing goodbye in Auslan, the more natural and fluent you will become.
Auslan is a fascinating and beautiful language, and learning how to say goodbye is a great way to dive into the Deaf community in Australia. Make sure to respect and appreciate the culture as you learn and communicate using Auslan.
Now that you’ve learned various formal and informal ways to say goodbye in Auslan, why not practice with friends or join local Auslan classes to further develop your signing skills? Good luck, and happy signing!
