What Is Auslan Sign Language? Complete Overview

Understanding what is Auslan sign language opens the door to a rich, visual language used by thousands of Deaf Australians every day. Auslan — short for Australian Sign Language — is a fully developed natural language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural traditions. It is not a signed version of English but rather a complete and independent linguistic system that has evolved over more than 150 years.

The Basics of Auslan Sign Language

Auslan is the native sign language of Australia’s Deaf community. The name was coined by linguist Trevor Johnston in 1989, combining “Aus” from Australian and “lan” from language. Before this, the language was referred to informally by various names, but having a proper name helped establish its identity as a legitimate, independent language.

The language developed from British Sign Language (BSL), which arrived in Australia with Deaf immigrants and educators in the 19th century. The first Deaf schools were established in Sydney (1860) and Melbourne (1862), and each became a centre for language development. Because the two schools had limited contact with each other, two regional dialects emerged: Northern Auslan and Southern Auslan.

Today, these dialectal differences are diminishing as Deaf Australians travel more freely and connect through social media and video technology. However, some vocabulary differences persist. A sign used in Melbourne might differ from the sign for the same concept in Brisbane, much like the way spoken English varies between regions.

Auslan is part of the BANZSL language family, which also includes BSL and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). These three languages share a large proportion of their vocabulary — researchers estimate around 80 percent — but they have distinct enough features to be classified as separate languages rather than dialects.

Key Features That Make Auslan Unique

Auslan is a visual-spatial language, which means it uses the three-dimensional space in front of the signer to convey meaning. Signs are formed using five parameters: handshape, palm orientation, movement, location on or near the body, and non-manual features such as facial expressions.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Auslan is its two-handed fingerspelling alphabet. Unlike American Sign Language, which uses a one-handed alphabet, Auslan fingerspelling requires both hands to form letters. This system was inherited from British Sign Language and is shared with NZSL. Learning the alphabet is often the first step for beginners studying Auslan.

Facial expressions in Auslan carry grammatical information, not just emotional expression. Raising your eyebrows signals a yes-or-no question, while furrowing your brows indicates a wh-question. A slight head nod can affirm a statement, and pursed lips might modify the intensity of a sign. Without these non-manual markers, the meaning of signed sentences can change entirely.

Auslan also employs a system of classifiers — handshapes that represent categories of objects based on their physical characteristics. A flat hand can represent a car driving, a person walking, or a surface, depending on its orientation and movement. Classifiers allow signers to describe complex scenes, spatial relationships, and actions with remarkable visual detail.

The grammar of Auslan uses topic-comment structure rather than the Subject-Verb-Object order common in English. A typical Auslan sentence might place the topic first (with raised eyebrows) and then provide the comment. For example, instead of signing “I went to the store,” an Auslan signer might sign STORE, I GO (with the topic “store” established first).

Auslan and the Deaf Community

Auslan is the heart of Australian Deaf culture. The Deaf community in Australia — estimated at around 20,000 to 30,000 people who use Auslan as their primary or preferred language — views the language as inseparable from their cultural identity. Being Deaf and using Auslan is a source of pride and belonging, not a deficit to be corrected.

Deaf Australia, the national peak body representing Deaf Australians, advocates for Auslan access across all areas of public life. Their work has led to significant improvements in interpreting services, captioning, and Deaf education. State-level organisations such as Deaf Victoria, Deaf Queensland, and the Deaf Society of NSW provide local services and community programs.

The Deaf community maintains its culture through social gatherings, sporting events, arts festivals, and educational institutions. Deaf clubs have historically been important social hubs where Auslan is used freely and Deaf culture is celebrated. While the role of physical Deaf clubs has diminished somewhat with the rise of video calling and social media, the tradition of Deaf community gatherings remains strong.

Auslan storytelling and poetry represent rich art forms that take full advantage of the visual-spatial nature of the language. Deaf performers can create vivid narratives using signs, classifiers, role-shifting (taking on the perspectives of different characters), and creative use of signing space. These art forms are unique to sign languages and cannot be fully replicated in spoken or written languages.

Common Misconceptions About Auslan

One of the most common misconceptions is that sign languages are universal. Many hearing people assume that a Deaf person from Australia could easily communicate with a Deaf person from America or Japan. In reality, there are over 300 distinct sign languages worldwide, and while some may share features, they are as different from one another as spoken languages are.

Another misconception is that Auslan is simply English expressed through gestures. This is incorrect. Auslan has its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary that are fundamentally different from English. A word-for-word translation between English and Auslan is not possible, just as a word-for-word translation between English and Japanese would produce nonsensical results.

Some people mistakenly believe that Auslan is inferior to spoken languages or that it lacks the capacity to express complex or abstract ideas. Research has conclusively shown that Auslan can express everything that spoken languages can, including abstract concepts, humour, irony, metaphor, and technical vocabulary. Signs for concepts like love, friend, and sorry carry the same depth and nuance as their spoken equivalents.

There is also a misconception that learning Auslan will hinder a Deaf child’s ability to learn English. Decades of research have shown the opposite: children who learn sign language early develop stronger cognitive skills and often perform better in reading and writing English compared to Deaf children who are denied access to sign language.

Getting Started with Auslan

If you want to learn Auslan, the best approach is to combine structured study with community immersion. Start by learning the fingerspelling alphabet and basic greetings, then gradually build your vocabulary with everyday signs for concepts like colours, numbers, family members, and common actions.

Formal courses are available through TAFE colleges across Australia, which offer certificates in Auslan at various levels. Universities including Macquarie University, La Trobe University, and RMIT also offer Auslan studies. Community classes run by Deaf organisations are another excellent option, as they are typically taught by Deaf instructors who are native signers.

Online resources complement classroom learning effectively. The Auslan Signbank provides video demonstrations of thousands of signs, while dictionary sites like Deafened.org help learners explore signs for specific words. However, online learning alone cannot replace the experience of interacting with Deaf signers in person.

Attend Deaf community events whenever possible. Many cities have regular Deaf social gatherings, sports clubs, and cultural events that welcome hearing learners. These environments provide invaluable exposure to natural Auslan conversation and help you develop the fluency and cultural understanding that classroom study alone cannot provide.

Be patient with yourself as you learn. Auslan is a complete language, and achieving fluency takes time and consistent effort. Focus on understanding the visual grammar and spatial features of the language rather than trying to translate English sentences word by word. With dedication and respect for the Deaf community, you can develop meaningful skills in this beautiful visual language.

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