Australian Sign Language For Beginners
Learning Australian sign language for beginners can feel overwhelming at first, but Auslan is a beautifully expressive language that rewards even small amounts of practice. Whether you want to communicate with a Deaf friend, support your child’s education, or add a new skill to your professional toolkit, this guide will walk you through the essential first steps of your Auslan journey.
What Is Auslan
Auslan stands for Australian Sign Language, and it is the primary language of the Deaf community in Australia. It is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax that differs entirely from spoken English. Auslan is not a signed version of English — it is its own distinct language with unique linguistic structures.
Auslan has its roots in British Sign Language, brought to Australia by Deaf immigrants and educators in the nineteenth century. Over time, it evolved independently, incorporating signs from Irish Sign Language and developing its own regional variations. Today, there are two main dialects: northern (used in Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT) and southern (used in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania).
Approximately 10,000 to 20,000 Australians use Auslan as their primary language. It was officially recognised by the Australian Government as a community language in 1991 and was later acknowledged under the National Language Policy. Understanding this background helps beginners appreciate that they are learning a living, evolving language with a rich cultural heritage.
The Auslan Alphabet and Fingerspelling
Unlike the one-handed American Sign Language alphabet, the Auslan fingerspelling system uses two hands. This is because Auslan shares its manual alphabet with British Sign Language, which also uses a two-handed system. Each letter is formed by specific positions of both hands working together.
Fingerspelling is used in Auslan to spell out proper nouns, technical terms, and words that do not have an established sign. While beginners often rely heavily on fingerspelling, fluent signers use it sparingly. As your vocabulary grows, you will find that most everyday concepts have their own dedicated signs and do not need to be spelled out.
To practise fingerspelling, start by learning the handshape for each letter and drilling them in order. Once you can produce the alphabet smoothly, practise spelling short words like your name and common nouns. Speed will come naturally with repetition. Many beginners find it helpful to practise with a partner who can read their fingerspelling and provide feedback.
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Your First Auslan Signs
Begin with greetings and polite expressions. The sign for hello is a natural wave, while “thank you” involves touching your chin and moving your hand forward. Learning to sign “please,” “sorry,” and “excuse me” gives you the social basics to interact respectfully with Deaf signers.
Next, learn question signs. In Auslan, questions are marked not just by the sign but by facial expression. Yes/no questions use raised eyebrows, while information questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) use furrowed brows. The sign for “what” involves holding open hands palm-up and shaking them slightly. Mastering these question markers early will make your signing look more natural.
Common verbs are your next priority. Signs for want, need, like, go, come, and know are used in nearly every conversation. Auslan verbs often incorporate directional movement to show who is doing the action and who is receiving it, which is a concept called verb agreement. This takes time to master but is fundamental to Auslan grammar.
Family signs are also essential for beginners. Learn the signs for mother, father, brother, sister, child, and family. These come up frequently in introductions and casual conversation. Practise introducing yourself: your name sign, where you are from, and basic information about your family.
Understanding Auslan Grammar
One of the most important things for beginners to understand is that Auslan does not follow English word order. While English uses a Subject-Verb-Object structure (“I want coffee”), Auslan typically uses a topic-comment structure. The topic is established first, then the comment is made about it. For example, “Coffee, I want” would be a natural Auslan sentence.
Non-manual features are grammatically essential in Auslan. Your facial expressions, head movements, eye gaze, and mouth patterns are not optional extras — they carry grammatical information. A sentence signed with a neutral face may have a completely different meaning than the same signs produced with raised eyebrows or a head tilt.
Auslan uses spatial grammar extensively. Signers establish locations in the signing space to represent people, objects, or places, and then refer back to those locations throughout the conversation. This spatial referencing system is elegant and efficient but requires practice for hearing beginners who are accustomed to linear, sequential language.
Classifiers are another important grammatical feature. These are handshapes that represent categories of objects and are used to show how things move, where they are located, or what they look like. For example, a flat hand might represent a vehicle, while an upright index finger might represent a person. Learning basic classifiers will significantly expand your ability to describe scenes and events.
Practice Strategies for New Signers
The single best way to improve your Auslan is to interact with Deaf signers. Attend Deaf community events, social gatherings, or Deaf-led workshops in your area. The Deaf community in Australia is generally welcoming to learners who approach with respect and genuine interest. These interactions provide invaluable exposure to natural signing speed, regional variations, and cultural norms.
Enrol in a structured Auslan course if possible. TAFE institutions across Australia offer accredited Auslan courses, often taught by Deaf instructors. These courses provide systematic instruction, regular feedback, and a peer group to practise with. Online courses are also available for those in regional areas without access to face-to-face classes.
Supplement formal learning with daily self-study. Watch Auslan videos produced by Deaf content creators, review vocabulary using online Auslan dictionaries, and practise signing along with instructional videos. Set a goal to learn five new signs each day and review previously learned signs at the start of each practice session.
Find a signing buddy. Partnered practice is more effective than solo study because you develop both expressive and receptive skills. If you do not know another learner, look for Auslan study groups or conversation circles in your area. Many community centres and libraries host informal Auslan meetups where beginners are welcome.
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