New Zealand launches online language dictionary

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: Deaf people in New Zealand can now learn sign language on the internet. The country has just launched a multimedia sign language dictionary.

The online database contains about 4,000 signs, accompanied by line drawings and video clips to show how to produce each sign, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Also read: Innovations that could change our lives

David McKee, director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit at Wellington's Victoria University, said the online dictionary would be accessible to all New Zealanders.

University deputy vice chancellor Penny Boumelha said: "As we have seen in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, sign language has provided crucial assistance to New Zealand's deaf community during press conferences."

"Access to information becomes a precious commodity in times of civil emergency, making this new website an invaluable resource," she said.

Graeme Kennedy founded the Deaf Studies Research Unit and edited the first sign language dictionary in 1997.