Arandic alternate sign language(s)

Abstract

This chapter describes sign language(s) used in Arandic language speaking communities of Central Australia. These sign languages have been called ‘alternate’ because they are not usually the primary mode of communication, but rather employed alongside other semiotic systems, including speech, gesture and drawing practices. Alternate sign languages are “developed by people already competent in some spoken language ... for use as an alternative to speech in circumstances where, for whatever reason, speech is not used” (Kendon [1988] 2013: 4). Whilst a proficient Arandic signer is able to converse entirely in sign with an interlocutor who is their match, in typical instances of everyday use signed utterances do not carry the entire communicative load – rather they are one component of a ‘composite signal’. Although these sign languages may be employed as an alternative to speech, co-speech signing is also common practice amongst hearing signers.