Colour is a power which directly influences the soul. Wassily Kandinsky
Auslan (Australian sign language) is the language used by the Australian deaf and hard of hearing community. It’s great for kids to learn the basics of this language to help broaden their horizons and expand their communication skills.
Even as an adult, Auslan is a wonderful language to learn as it contributes to our own social enrichment and creates a more inclusive society for the deaf and hard of hearing. With nearly 20,000 Australians using Auslan every single day to communicate, it’s so important to be able to connect with those in our community who use the language.
We have enlisted the help of Emma Watkins and artist Sue Jo Wright to teach us how to make the correct gestures in Auslan for different colours.
Make sure you watch along with the video to check you’re doing the gestures properly!
How to sign colours in Auslan:
Blue: With your pointer finger pointing forward, index finger down and resting on the back of your other wrist, twist your hand upwards so that pointer ends upwards. Click here to see how to sign the colour blue.
Yellow: With your pointer finger and thumb touching at tips, other fingers spread, place your hand at your temple and swivel your hand forward twice. Click here to see how to sign the colour yellow.
Pink: Brush your pointer finger backwards on your cheek, with your palm facing forward. Click here to see how to sign the colour pink.
Green: With your little finger and thumb extended from fist, start with your thumb near forehead, little finger pointing forward and move your hand forward and back to your forehead again. Click here to see how to sign the colour green.
Purple: With your pointer and middle fingers extended together, form a circle with fingertips in the palm of your other hand. Click here to see how to sign the colour purple.
Orange: Bunched hand opens and closes near your mouth, as if squeezing. Click here to see how to sign the colour orange.
Black: Stroke fingers of fist forward along the side of your face. Click here to see how to sign the colour black.
Red: With your pointer finger hooked, move your hand down slightly, twice. Click here to see how to sign the colour red.
White: Form a circle with your pointer finger and thumb at your neck, other fingers extended and rock your hand forward twice. Click here to see how to sign the colour white.
Brown: Hold your hand with fingers and thumb spread, palm towards your chin. In front of your mouth, move the fingers together as the hand moves out and down from your face. Click here to see how to sign the colour brown.
Gold: Make a fist with both hands with your thumbs upwards. Swing your main hand above the other fist, then bounce off the lower fist and up off to the side. Click here to see how to sign the colour gold.
Silver: Extend your little fingers on both hands. Swing the main hand above the other, then bounce one little finger off the other little finger and up off to the side. Click here to see how to sign the colour gold.
Watch Emma and Sue’s video as many times as you need to practice your Auslan colours. Of course there are many more colours to explore. Visit the Auslan Signbank website to search on your favourite colour and see videos using the listed Auslan signs. This is a great website containing an Auslan accredited dictionary and other resources.
Make sure you teach your family and friends too; you never know when it might come in handy!
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