Auslan AnthemAuslan Anthem These are instructions on how to ‘sing’ the These are instructions on how to ‘sing’ the

National Anthem in sign language, or Auslan. National Anthem in sign language, or Auslan. Your class could learn this piece, and perform it Your class could learn this piece, and perform it

at a school or community event for the at a school or community event for the Commonwealth Games in March 2006.Commonwealth Games in March 2006.

The signs being used are not literal translations The signs being used are not literal translations of the Australian Anthem, word by word, but of the Australian Anthem, word by word, but are chosen to express the meaning of the lines.are chosen to express the meaning of the lines.

As it is a song, signs have been extended or As it is a song, signs have been extended or amplified, to allow them to become poetic. amplified, to allow them to become poetic.

Auslan descriptions usually refer to a Auslan descriptions usually refer to a ‘dominant’ hand. For ease and clarity, these ‘dominant’ hand. For ease and clarity, these instructions refer to the right hand as the instructions refer to the right hand as the dominant hand.dominant hand.

Australian Anthem Australian Anthem part 1 part 1

Australians all let us rejoiceAustralians all let us rejoice

For we are young and freeFor we are young and free

A key to the instructionsA key to the instructions

We have described the signs using 5 points:We have described the signs using 5 points: 1: Hand details: these photos give a close up 1: Hand details: these photos give a close up

view of the particular hand shape needed.view of the particular hand shape needed. 2: Orientation – this describes the direction the 2: Orientation – this describes the direction the

hands should face, by referencing your palms.hands should face, by referencing your palms. 3: Location – these photos explain where the 3: Location – these photos explain where the

signs sit in relation to your whole body.signs sit in relation to your whole body. 4: Movement – this describes any actions.4: Movement – this describes any actions. 5: Nature of movement – this describes the 5: Nature of movement – this describes the

feeling with which the actions are performed.feeling with which the actions are performed.

AustraliaAustralia

Orientation: Orientation: Palms downPalms down

Movement:Movement: Flick middle finger out Flick middle finger out from thumb while moving hand up and from thumb while moving hand up and forward in an arc .forward in an arc .

Quality Of Movement: Quality Of Movement: Once open, Once open, the hands float gently downwards, the hands float gently downwards, wriggling fingers slightly, as if allowing wriggling fingers slightly, as if allowing a “blessing” to rain down.a “blessing” to rain down.

Notes On Translation: Notes On Translation: This sign originates from the idea of picking This sign originates from the idea of picking people up (in Britain) and dropping them down in Australia. people up (in Britain) and dropping them down in Australia. Obviously, this notion does not acknowledge Indigenous Australians. Obviously, this notion does not acknowledge Indigenous Australians.

allall

Orientation: Orientation: Palm outwards from the bodyPalm outwards from the body

Movement: Movement: The arm sweeps from right to left The arm sweeps from right to left across the front of the body, (starting on the outside across the front of the body, (starting on the outside and finishing in front of the opposite shoulder).and finishing in front of the opposite shoulder).

Quality Of Movement: Quality Of Movement: It is as if you are using the palm of your hand It is as if you are using the palm of your hand to to

identify and ‘touch’ the hands of a semi-circle of people in front of you.identify and ‘touch’ the hands of a semi-circle of people in front of you.

celebratecelebrate

Orientation: Orientation: The palms The palms face towards each other.face towards each other.

Movement: Movement: hands hands move outwards at the move outwards at the same time, making same time, making small circles – the right small circles – the right hand in a clockwise hand in a clockwise direction and the left in direction and the left in an anti-clockwise. an anti-clockwise. Forearms move but the Forearms move but the shape remains still shape remains still below the elbows. below the elbows.

Quality Of Movement: Quality Of Movement: SmileSmile and p and perform this erform this sign with sign with

joy – as if celebrating! joy – as if celebrating!

WeWe

Orientation: Orientation: Palms downPalms down

Movement: Movement: thethe arms reach arms reach outwards and move outwards and move away from each away from each other marking two other marking two

halves of a circle (see video). halves of a circle (see video).

Quality of Movement: Quality of Movement: As the arms move through the As the arms move through the space, the fingers ‘point’ to people in the area, including them in the space, the fingers ‘point’ to people in the area, including them in the

word ‘we’ .word ‘we’ .

youngyoungOrientation: Orientation: palmpalm faces faces the other side of your bodythe other side of your body

Movement: Movement: TheThe first two fingers first two fingers touch the thumbtouch the thumbtwice, while the twice, while the hand makes small hand makes small circles in front circles in front of the face.of the face.

Quality of Quality of Movement:Movement:The torso can The torso can contract or curl contract or curl downwards to downwards to make the body make the body smaller like that of smaller like that of a young person.a young person.

freefree

Orientation: Orientation: Palms face downPalms face down

Movement: Movement: Begin with thumbs Begin with thumbs touching the chest. The hands touching the chest. The hands

move move out and away from body, with the out and away from body, with the fingers wiggling slightly as they fingers wiggling slightly as they travel.travel.

Quality of Movement: Quality of Movement: finish finish the the

movement with your arms movement with your arms outstretched, as if flying…..freeoutstretched, as if flying…..free