Moja Prva Znakovnica – the first Croatian Sign Language dictionary

Story

Why did we launch the “Moja Prva Znakovnica” campaign?

90 – 95% of deaf children are born into hearing families.

The fact is that in families where there is one deaf member, they are marginalized. No matter how much the whole family loves them, they remain excluded from communication. Lip reading is a skill that is learned and developed, and that only comes when you learn the Croatian language – we can’t lip-read a language we don’t know.

The fact is that exposing deaf children to sign language is to their benefit – the child is given a tool for expression, the parents a tool for understanding and communication, and an environment in which the child feels accepted and understood is created from the first day.

With this project, we spread awareness about the Deaf community and sign language, we promote a view of the world that is different, but equally valuable.

In addition, the few HZJ courses that exist are held only in the largest Croatian cities, which means that they are not equally accessible to everyone.

Also, sign language learning materials are still not standardized or sufficiently developed and as such are not in line with the needs of a community of over 14,000 people.

Who is the team behind Moja Prva Znakovnica?

The team members are Dorijana, Nives, and Maja – professional translators and educators. Although hearing, they grew up in deaf families and began to sign before they spoke. Aware of the potential and value of both worlds, they understand the problem of the lack of material and available information on this social topic.

They are part of Croatian Association of Sign Language Interpreters, that cover some major linguistic topics such as w preservation of HZJ, the creation of educational materials, the implementation of education, and the development of the profession of sign language interpreters.

The dictionary will be created in collaboration with linguists that are experts in language acquisition, choosing material according to the age of acquisition. Besides words, the most frequently used phrases, terms, and sentences for everyday communication will be included.

How will Moja Prva Znakovnica look like?

Moja Prva Znakovnica will be available on the website that we will create with the funds from the campaign. It will contain a list of terms, phrases, and sentences that can be explored using a simple search engine. Conversely to all materials produced so far, for example on YouTube, this will be the first real Croatian sign language dictionary modeled after other already existing dictionaries of Swedish, British, or Australian sign language.

The biggest advantage of Moja Prva Znakovnica is that it is a video education where the process of signing will be visible and understandable. In addition to the visual display itself, additional clarification will be given in text form – instructions on how to perform the sign and all other information that facilitates independent learning.

Investing plan

• High Definition camera
• Photography and Video Lightning
• Camera and Lightning stands
• Backgrounds
• Backgrounds stands
• Video processing software
• Web hosting
• Website building
• Website maintenance
• Education
• External collaboration

Make your contribution today!

Meet the team

How to donate (it’s simple!)

In order to make a successful payment, it is necessary to:
1. If you are on a laptop, select the desired payment amount on the right margin of the campaign page or select an arbitrary amount in the page header, and if you are on the mobile version, select the desired amount at the beginning or scroll to the bottom of the campaign page;
2. enter the requested personal data in the form;
3. select the desired payment method:
a) Mastercard®, Maestro® or Visa card (Monri option);
b) Cryptocurrency via PayCek;
c) KEKS Pay;
d) Airchash;
e) General payment slip or internet or mobile banking.
4. confirm the payment according to further instructions of the platform.

After the payment has been made, it is necessary to wait a certain time until the payment is processed and recorded on the campaign page. Payments made by general payment slip or internet/mobile banking are recorded within 1 to 2 working days, and payments made by cards, cryptocurrencies, Aircash or KEKS Pay within 1 to 12 hours.

For additional technical inquiries regarding payment, please contact us through the e-mail address info@bonafidesinvest.eu or the phone number +385 (0)98 611 467.

We take this opportunity to thank ZABA Bank and Monri, which enabled payment with Mastercard®, Maestro® and Visa cards, Erste Bank which enabled payment with application KEKS Pay, Airchash Ltd. which enabled payment with Aircash mobile wallet, and Electrocoin and PayCek, which enabled payment with cryptocurrencies. We also thank the hosting company MyDataKnox for maintaining the server.

Contact

Organization: Croatian Association of Sign Language Interpreters
Address: Kneza Mislava 7, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Representative: Dorijana Kavčić, interpreter & educator, Ivona Magdić, marketing & PR
PIN: 85865200645
E-mail: mojaprvaznakovnica@gmail.com
Mobile: +385 (0)91 4619 107
Website: https://www.prevoditeljihzj.eu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MojaPrvaZnakovnica
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojaprvaznakovnica/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moja-prva-znakovnica/