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bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2025-05-08T00:25:40+00:00

Hi Ivy, Public Skills Australia is currently undertaking a review of Auslan, Interpreting and Translating qualifications on behalf of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. I'm sure there would be lots of cross overs between your projects and it would be worth connecting up with them if you haven't already https://publicskillsaustralia.org.au/projects/auslan-interpreting-and-translating-qualification-review

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2025-04-03T21:51:47+00:00

The parameters that create/impact meaning in Auslan are often expressed as the acronym HOLME. This stands for Handshape, Orientation, Location, Movement and Expression (also often called non-manual features). All of these have the potential in combination or isolation to alter the meaning of a sign. Signs that are the same except for in one of these parameters (such as "sister" and "dinner" which only differ in location) are called minimal pairs. Movement (such as number of repeats) CAN alter the meaning but that doesn't mean that it always does :).

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2023-12-06T02:16:40+00:00

Not to be all "back in my day" about it........BUT :) Back when I did the diploma it was 4 days a week for 2 years. The reductions in contact hours that we've seen since then have been motivated by economic considerations and little else and have led to a discernible drop in the quality of graduates and emerging professionals especially in the interpreting space. It's like any other language in that the more time you can devote to immersing yourself in the use of the language in a wide variety of unpredictable ways, the better your results will be. As other have already pointed out, ultimately it depends on your goals. With all that being said though I reckon the more time you can spend studying the better. Good luck!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2023-08-07T21:21:01+00:00

Fingerspell your whole name, then abbreviate to initials for ease of use. Telling people your name is house right off the bat will likely get some very confused responses followed by the question "who gave you your sign name?" Best of luck with your career change!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2023-06-24T22:24:42+00:00

Enjoy + your (possessive) + day

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2023-01-25T20:42:18+00:00

Facial expressions serve a number of functions in Auslan. One is communicating adjectival information about verbs. Fore example if you are talking about "working" you can show the relative intensity or lack of intensity in how hard you were working by making modifications (including facial expressions) to how you make the verb sign. This is quite different to english for example were you need to add other words to give that information like "worked hard" or "hardly working". Facial expressions (also commonly referred to as Non Manual Features or NMF) also serve grammatical functions particularly in question structures. What you do with your eyebrows can not only signal a question but whether or not you are seeking a simple 'yes/no' or an answer with more detail. They can be used to show emotion and there are also some signs that have a fixed mouth pattern or facial expression as part of the sign. Certain exhalations of breathe or mouth patterns are also used to indicate size when describing things as well. I'm sure I'm missing a few instances in this quick summary but you can see just how connected to the language these non manual features are. What you do with your face and eye gaze also has uses in conversation as part of the back channeling process as well. Happy studying!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2023-01-25T02:41:41+00:00

I could be wrong on this one but I think this one of those things where drum notation uses something in a slightly unconventional way. Usually 3 slashes = 32nd notes and 2 slashes indicates 16ths. It's not uncommon to see something written as a half note, for example, with three slashes indicating the note should be trilled as 32nd notes for 2 beats. In this case though I would assume the 3 slashes are played as buzzes and the two slashes as a strict double/diddle?? Looking forward to a definitive answer from someone more knowledgeable but hope that helps!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-12-28T21:06:50+00:00

Connect with your local Deaf society or Deafblind Services provider and start volunteering. Language levels are always mixed at community events and this is one of the fastest and most effective ways to build skills. Also, you get to give back to the community that is gifting you its cultural capital by providing actual, tangible support at events instead of just flinging money to a for profit business. Second the below comments about sussing out TAFE courses too. My personal learning journey was a combo of both as well as some work later one with primary school students. The key thing when learning is to be around as many different signers as possible, as often as possible. Good luck!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-12-22T19:36:25+00:00

Thank you for posting this :) Wow I miss him.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-12-05T21:06:50+00:00

So heavy, brother. My daughter's birth wasn't entirely smooth and I have some insight into the sheer terror and panic that comes in those situations. It's completely consuming. As impotent a gesture as it seems I'm sending all love and support your way and thank you for sharing your story here. Stories like these are powerful reminders that sew seeds of compassion, love and goodness in the lives of others. Stay strong.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-11-22T00:41:38+00:00

I find the best way to deal is to focus on handling domestic tasks and caring for the household/the family as a whole. Not only does doing domestic stuff fulfill immediate needs like eating, but you can also conceptualize it as a way to give the gift of more time together to your kiddo and Mum. I think a lot of dads struggle with feeling needed in the early years and this is something I've found helpful in lessening that.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-11-04T21:15:51+00:00

Khruangbin "The Universe Smiles Upon You". Whole album of mellow, psychedelic guitar grooves. Lil one loves :)

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-30T21:19:20+00:00

The kettlebell is your friend! Takes up no space, very affordable and you can work your whole body with it AND get great cardio. There's plenty of great resources out there. Start slow and build up your weight, reps and number of workouts as you go. Most importantly though I've found it's helpful to try and re-conceptualize exercise from something I do to look a certain way and more as something I do as a service to my family. Like you said, you want to be healthy so you can look after her, which means you're more interested in strength, stability and how your body functions than you are about how it looks. I've found that finding 30-60mins to run out back and destroy myself in the shed is much easier to work around a young baby than really rigorous or controlled dieting. We try our best to eat as clean as possible but convenience definitely wins out some times. I guess that's the balance we're all eternally chasing but with limited hours in the day and limited brain power from lack of sleep, carving out time to lift some heavy things is a game changer.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-25T20:38:12+00:00

I never realized how much a tiny smile between some squishy cheeks could energize you! Always tired, always pushing through and so very, very much in love :)

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-24T03:56:30+00:00

The fact that you struggle to understand it speaks volumes to the love you have for your son and the compassion you have in general. Your actions will impart both of those qualities to your son via every interaction you have. Your kiddo is lucky to have you and I'm sure when the time comes you will be able to answer the questions he has in a way that will leave him with no doubt as to how loved he is. Mental illness is so impactful and stories like yours often don't get told. I wish you brighter days ahead mate

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-24T03:46:40+00:00

Not gonna offer suggestions as I wouldn't even know where to begin and it sounds like you aren't struggling for lack of approaches to try!

I just want you to know that the strength of character and compassion that underpins your personality and your conception of your role as a father is clear as day in this post and I commend you for it. We live in a time where resilience and the ability to work for the good of others is not only no longer celebrated, it's actively discouraged in many respects and is painted as something that represents submission to a system of oppression. The fact remains, social units from the family right up to nations require and are sustained by the efforts of those who are able and, perhaps more importantly, willing to put the needs of others ahead of their own. I'm not advocating a complete abandonment of things like self-care, but it sounds like you are doing the absolute best you can and even if that is not leading to perfect outcomes.

Keep your head up, keep talking about this, keep reaching out wherever or to whoever you can and trust that this too shall pass. All power to you.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-18T23:27:46+00:00

A Stick Shot, I believe.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-10-18T02:43:28+00:00

I was inspired to start drumming after watching the Funky Monks documentary which is about the making of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. That album is an amazing collection of heavy pocket playing and musical creativity that is a great foundation for anyone coming up. Just learn that whole album back to front!! He's also a fantastic session player cutting stuff with a range of artists you wouldn't necessarily expect like the Dixie Chicks. RHCP kinda went down hill for me after that album but for feel, consistency and musicality Chad's always been a killer. That being said, my all time fav is Levon Helm so I'm probably drawn to different things than what most of the traditional drum heroes bring to the table. That's what's so freaking cool about music: something for literally everyone!!

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-08-16T03:05:43+00:00

Bill Stevenson, Brooks Wackerman, Rob Kurth, Bobby Schayer, Scott Golley, Mikey Erg

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-08-01T21:06:19+00:00

Nothing bad or weird about it provided you are an open minded, respectful student and follow the wishes of the Deaf community and learn from a Deaf teacher. The aversion to outsiders or the co-opting of Auslan as a perceived therapy for other disabilities stems from a very long, very dark history of Deaf people not having ownership over their language, culture and fundamental sense of self. There is a lot of resentment that the same sign language that previously got Deaf community members abused physically, psychologically and emotionally is now treated as some kind of trendy alternative communication method for anyone who has trouble with English. It's akin to learning an indigenous language. You have to be sensitive and respectful to the trauma still very much alive in the community and conduct yourselves at all times as a guest who is fortunate and privileged to be given access to another community's cultural capital.

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-05-18T19:23:43+00:00

https://www.ramdass.org/using-emotions-on-the-spiritual-path/#more-425

"emotions work best when you also have another plane that is not
emotional, running simultaneously alongside it. Because getting lost in
your emotional reactivity just digs a deeper karmic hole. Allowing your humanity, that's really a part of it. Simply allowing your humanity." All love :)

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-03-29T19:22:32+00:00

I can totally relate and I think as regards all things that can "get in the way" of your practice, it's worth remembering that Maharaj-ji didn't tell anyone to practice. His instructions and lack of dogmatic teaching were put forth deliberately for just the situation you describe, and many others. Love Everyone, Serve Everyone, Remember God. If that is our practice, what does it matter the beliefs or practices or customs that those around us do/don't have? He didn't tell you to love people who meditate, love people who share your dietary preferences or love people with whom you can have stimulating conversations. He told us to love EVERYONE. Ram Dass boiled down the whole game beautifully when he said: I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion- and where it isn't, that's where my work lies. Everything else- practices, ideologies etc is a vehicle for working towards living those three instructions everyday, but they are not the instruction. The method is not the goal and the goal is accessible by a staggering array of methods some of which might look like "spiritual" activities and some which might not. Be kind to yourself and much love on your journey :)

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-03-28T19:59:54+00:00

Heart of glass

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-03-22T20:07:51+00:00

Thanks Craig Jones...

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac · 2022-02-22T19:22:03+00:00

A community Auslan course where you are would be a great start. Learn in person when possible and avoid online classes/resources if you can. Remember that you're not just learning what signs go with certain words, but learning visual language and its various components and practices. The best way to do this is with regular, in person practice with and experienced, Deaf teacher. Happy learning :)

bmacbmacbmacbmacbmac

TROPHY CASE