Additional Resources
Besides creating LTSM, the Handlab takes on additional projects in partnership with organisations, both nationally and internationally. These materials can be applied for enrichment purposes in the SASL classroom and beyond.
Stories
Book Dash
Book Dash is an NPO that believes that every child should own at least 100 books by the age of five. For this reason, they have created more than 200 books in eleven of our country’s official languages.
The Handlab is translating all of these books into our twelfth official language (i.e. into SASL videos) so that Deaf children can also access books in their first language. This is an invaluable resource for teachers, parents and children to share, and it is free.
To view or download these beautiful books, go to the Book Dash website www.bookdash.org. Click on ‘Books’, then on ‘Filter by Language ’, and finally on ‘South African Sign Language’.
Multilingual Books
In collaboration with Flemish Deaf siblings, Hilde and Flip Verhelst, the Handlab translated the multimodal Flemish book “Sign Language Saves” into SASL and English, and added audio readings of the story in three more South African languages, namely Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu. This book is aimed at readers in the foundation phase.
Using the same model, the Handlab went on to create two more multilingual story books for reading by Deaf and hearing individuals alike. These books, “Party in the Park” and “Stanley’s Two Worlds”, are aimed at readers in the intermediate phase and senior phase, respectively.
SASL Posters
The Handlab created three resources which will be valuable for anyone learning or teaching SASL, whether in a classroom setting, in a corporate setting or at home:
• one A3 poster with the SASL fingerspelling alphabet,
• two A3 posters depicting the various handshapes used in SASL, and
• one A3 poster with the SASL signs for numbers.
SASL Dictionary
Browse our online SASL dictionary with over 8000 terms in SASL video (English and Afrikaans).
Footprints in the Fynbos (Voetspore in die Fynbos)
A story about a leopard and other animals in their natural habitats
In collaboration with the Cape Leopard Trust, the Handlab translated this delightful text into SASL.
Both Afrikaans and English versions of this story can be viewed on YouTube.
Fatima
A cultural tale about a Muslim girl from Cape Town
In collaboration with the Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans (Foundation for Empowerment through Afrikaans, SBA), the Handlab translated this unique story into SASL. This story can be viewed on YouTube.
Kokerboom / Quiver Tree
A uniquely South African Christmas story
In collaboration with the Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans (SBA), the Handlab translated this Christmas-themed story into SASL. This story includes a colouring book and can be viewed on YouTube.
Informational platforms
COVID-19 in SASL
In collaboration with Stellenbosch University, the Western Cape Government and the Coronawise initiative, the Handlab makes available essential information on the coronavirus, its effects, implications and government regulations pertaining to the pandemic. This information is available on YouTube. This channel also includes a selection of child-friendly information on Covid-19.
Mental Health in SASL
In collaboration with the Wie is ek? (Who am I?) initiative, the Handlab translates information on mental health issues into SASL. This information is available on the Wie is ek? website.
SBA Chemistry Project
An Exciting Project with Practical Experiments
In collaboration with the Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans (SBA), Handlab translated a series of Chemistry Project demonstrations into SASL. The project includes eight practical experiment videos, which are available on YouTube.
Idioms Project
Exploring Idioms Through the Four Natural Elements
The Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans (SBA) created a collection of books on idioms relating to the four natural elements, and Handlab collaborated with them to translate a subset of the idiomatic expressions – those relating to water – into SASL.
The project celebrates South Africa’s linguistic diversity by incorporating Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa dialects of SASL, creating opportunities to explore how idioms can be expressed and understood across different languages and signing communities.
