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Donovan Wright: ‘Teaching South African Sign Language is my great passion’

23 September 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rulanzen Martin

Donovan Wright recently joined the University of the Free State (UFS) as a lecturer in the Department of South African Sign Language (SASL) and Deaf Studies. As a passionate young academic, Wright ‘found his love’ for SASL during his undergraduate years at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

In 2016, for the fulfilment of his master’s degree at Wits, Wright completed a thesis titled ‘A preliminary description of South African Sign Language syntax’. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Wits, and his research interests lie in the linguistics of SASL, which became his focus during his postgraduate studies. In his PhD research he focuses on (particular) constructions within SASL and how to best describe and analyse them. “I chose to use an approach to language and grammar not tied to how we perceive and understand spoken languages,” he says.

‘Teaching SASL is my great passion’

His appointment as a SASL lecturer at the UFS is a fulfilment of his passion for teaching. “Sign languages are commonly misunderstood and thought to be pantomime or gesture,” he says. “These common misconceptions are the first topic we tackle – whether by linguistic or social argument.” As a SASL linguistics lecturer he says it’s this aspect of the modules that is so rewarding, especially “seeing students realise something new about a sign they already know and have been using. Learning about language while learning a language has its benefits.”

Empowering students is about access

Wright says access to education is a fundamental right for every student, and that empowering Deaf scholars will ultimately improve how Deaf students access information at universities and elsewhere. “While many students attend university and access their education in a language that is not their mother tongue, Deaf students using SASL are additionally learning across modalities.”

September is designated as Deaf Awareness Month, with one important aim being to highlight and improve sign language education. The Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies has planned numerous events and initiatives during this month, which will raise awareness and provide community education by visiting schools.

“The next step is ensuring an environment in which Deaf students who choose to pursue a career in academia are not hindered. Our Deaf students are our future Deaf academics,” Wright says.

• Members of the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies will, among other planned events, provide community interpreting services and visit schools in surrounding areas. This year the department is launching a university ‘Deaf Space’ where students, staff, or anyone wishing to engage in SASL can interact, provided you ‘leave your voice at the door’.

News Archive

Exciting open day and Albert Einstein program at Boyden Observatory

2005-05-06

National Science Week, which will be held from 7-14 May 2005, is an annual country-wide celebration of science, led by the Department of Science and Technology. The department selected a proposal by the Boyden Science Centre to coordinate a week of activities in the Bloemfontein area as one of the many projects in the country.

The project for Bloemfontein and surrounding areas will be delivered though a collaboration between the National Museum in Bloemfontein and the University of the Free State (UFS), including the Research Institute for Education Planning, the Department of Physics and other departments in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

The purpose of National Science Week is:

to create awareness of the important role that science play in people’s daily lives;
to encourage our youth to consider studying and improving their performance in mathematics and science; and
to attract more of our youth into science, engineering and technology (SET) careers.

World Year of Physics and Albert Einstein Program at Boyden Observatory

The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) declared the year 2005 as the World Year of Physics (WYP). In recognition of this declaration, the great contribution of Physics to the development of technology, and its importance in our everyday lives will be featured strongly during the National Science Week 2005.

On Saturday 7 May 2005 there will be a public programme at Boyden Observatory from 15:30 as a contribution to the World Year of Physics. The programme will be presented in collaboration with the Bloemfontein branch of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa and will include short presentations on astronomy, space exploration and the sun.

The main presentation will be at 19:00 the evening on the life and work of Albert Einstein. The programme will also include observing sessions through telescopes of objects like the sun, Jupiter and Saturn. There will also be an exhibit on Albert Einstein. Attendance is free but booking is required. For bookings, phone 051-4012561.

Public lecture programme:

Next week the following exciting public lectures will be presented as part of the Science Week activities:

Monday 9 May 2005

National Museum:

A discussion on Apocalypse Then: the greatest mass extinction of all time. The lecture will be presented by Dr Jennifer Botha, Paleontologist at the National Museum.
Bookings: 051-4479609 (entrance is free).

UFS campus:

All lectures at Kine 2, Medical Faculty, UFS campus. Follow directions from the DF Malherbe Road entrance.
Bookings: 051-4012561 (entrance is free).

Tuesday 10 May 2005:

A discussion on the Tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004 at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty).

Wednesday 11 May 2005:

A discussion on Is there life out there? at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty).

Friday 13 May 2005:

A discussion on Hunting Black Holes at 19:30 (UFS campus, Kine 2 Medical Faculty). The lecture will be presented by Dr Phil Charles, Director: South African Astronomical Observatory.

Science awareness day at the National museum

The science week will be concluded on Saturday 14 May 2005 with a special Science Awareness Day at the National Museum, Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein.

The excellent exhibits at the museum will be supplemented with activities, career information and video shows. The duration of the programme will be from 10:00-16:00. For enquiries, please call 051-4479609.

Issued by:  Lacea Loader
   Media Representative
   Tel: (051) 401-2584
   Cell: 083 645 2454
   E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

6 May 2005

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