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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

Odeion: Public examination recitals

2006-11-09

The Department of Music presents a series of Public Examination Recitals by three B.Mus.Hons. candidates and a M.Mus. candidate.

These exams will be presented as concerts from 13 to 15 November in the Odeion.

Herewith a friendly invitation to attend the following concerts for free.

Monday, 13 November (19:30)

Kobie Liebenberg (B.Mus.Hons. - organ)

Programme:

Franck - Chorale No. 3 in A minor

Bruhns - Praeludium in E minor (No. 1)

Bach - Partita op “Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig”, BWV 768

Hindemith - Sonata No. 1 (1937)

Liszt - Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H

Tuesday, 14 November (18:00)

Mianda Erasmus (B.Mus.Hons. - flute)

Programme:

Taffanel - “Andante pastoral et Scherzettino”

Godard - “Suite de trois morceaux”

Dutilleux - Sonatine for flute and piano

Vivaldi - Concerto III “Il Gardellino”

Martinù - Sonata for flute and piano

Tuesday, 14 November (19:30)

Ulrich Cronjé (B.Mus.Hons. - flute)

Bach - Sonata in E minor for flute and continuo, BWV 1034

Jolivet - “Cinq Incantations” for solo flute

Mozart - Quartet in D major for flute, violin, viola and cello, K.285

Piston - Sonata for flute and piano

Morlacchi - “Il Pastore Svizzero” (The Swiss Shepherd)

Wednesday, 15 November (17:00)

The last exam in the series is a concert with Tilla Henkins (M.Mus. - cello) as member of the Henkins Cilliers Trio. Admission is R40 (adults), R20 (pensioners) and R10 (students and scholars). The Trio in G minor, Op. 15 (Smetana) the Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 12 (Arensky) and the Trio No. 1 in F major, Op. 18 (Saint-Saëns) are on the programme.

Information

Ninette Pretorius at tel. 051 - 401 2504.

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