Auslan vs ASL: Understanding the Key Differences

Auslan vs ASL: Understanding the Key Differences

Auslan vs ASL: Understanding the Key Differences Between Two Sign Languages

Sign languages are essential tools for communication within the Deaf community, but just like spoken languages, sign languages vary across regions and cultures. Two of the most widely recognised sign languages are Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and ASL (American Sign Language). While they both serve the same purpose—to help Deaf people communicate—they are distinct languages with their own unique grammar, vocabulary, and regional influences.

In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between Auslan and ASL, helping you understand how these languages evolved and how they are used today.

What is Auslan?

Auslan is the primary sign language used by the Deaf community in Australia. It developed in the early 19th century and is rooted in a combination of British Sign Language (BSL), local First Nations sign languages, and regional sign language variations. The development of Auslan was strongly influenced by British colonialism, as Deaf schools and communities were established with ties to British sign language traditions.

Today, Auslan is a fully functional language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, distinct from English. It is used by the Deaf community across Australia in education, workplaces, and social settings.

What is ASL?

ASL, or American Sign Language, is the primary sign language used in the United States and parts of Canada. It has its roots in French Sign Language (LSF) and developed in the early 19th century, influenced by French educators who worked in early American Deaf schools. ASL is recognised as a complete and independent language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and structure, separate from English.

ASL has become the most widely used sign language in North America and is the first language of many Deaf people in the United States and Canada. Like Auslan, ASL is not a signed version of English—it has its own unique syntax and rules.

Key Differences Between Auslan and ASL

Although both Auslan and ASL are sign languages, they differ significantly in their origins, structure, and vocabulary. Let’s look at some of the most important distinctions:

  1. Linguistic Origins and Influences

    • Auslan: Auslan is primarily influenced by British Sign Language (BSL), as British Deaf educators helped establish the first Deaf schools in Australia. Over time, it has incorporated elements from Indigenous sign languages, creating a distinct variation.
    • ASL: ASL’s roots are mainly traced to French Sign Language (LSF), due to the involvement of French Deaf educators in the establishment of Deaf education in the United States in the early 19th century. ASL also developed regional variations and influences over time, giving it its own unique identity.

  2. Vocabulary and Signs

    • The most noticeable difference between Auslan and ASL is the vocabulary. For example, the signs for everyday words like "hello," "thank you," and "mother" are entirely different in each language. While there may be some overlap in signs for international concepts (such as signs for “world” or “deaf”), many signs are unique to each language.
    • For instance, the sign for "goodbye" in Auslan involves a waving motion, while in ASL, it’s done by bringing the hand to the chin and moving it away from the face.

  3. Grammar and Syntax

    • Auslan: The grammar and sentence structure in Auslan often follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) order, which is different from the English sentence structure (subject-verb-object, SVO). For example, to say “I eat an apple” in Auslan, you might sign “I apple eat,” which places the subject at the start and the verb at the end.
    • ASL: ASL typically follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) structure, similar to English. However, ASL can also use a topic-comment structure, where the topic is introduced first, followed by a comment or description. For example, in ASL, you might sign "I apple eat," in a similar order to English.

  4. Fingerspelling

    • Auslan: The Auslan alphabet is based on the British sign language fingerspelling system but has distinct letter shapes. Some letters in Auslan are signed differently compared to those in ASL, making them incompatible when attempting to understand fingerspelling between the two languages.
    • ASL: The ASL alphabet uses a completely different handshape system. For example, the ASL letter "A" is made by forming a fist with the thumb placed along the side, while in Auslan, the "A" is signed with the thumb and fingers more separated.

  5. Regional Variations

    • Auslan: Like many languages, Auslan has regional variations across Australia, where signs may differ from state to state or even between urban and rural areas. However, these regional differences are still largely intelligible to speakers from other areas.
    • ASL: Similarly, ASL has regional dialects across the United States and Canada, where signs for specific words or phrases may differ. For example, the sign for “train” might be different depending on the region, although the overall structure and grammar remain consistent.

Can You Understand Auslan if You Know ASL?

Despite both being sign languages, Auslan and ASL are not mutually intelligible. A person who is fluent in ASL would likely struggle to understand Auslan, and vice versa, due to the differences in signs, grammar, and vocabulary. While there are occasional similarities—especially for international or universally understood signs—each language has developed independently and has its own unique characteristics.

Learning one of these languages will not automatically enable you to understand the other, but it is possible to learn both if you have the interest and resources to do so.

Conclusion

While Auslan and ASL both serve the same purpose—facilitating communication within the Deaf community—they are distinct languages with different linguistic origins, grammar, and vocabulary. Understanding the differences between these languages can help you appreciate the rich diversity of sign languages around the world and the unique ways they evolve to meet the needs of different communities.

If you're learning sign language, it's important to choose the one that aligns with your needs, whether that's Auslan for Australian communities or ASL for those in the United States and Canada. Both languages are rich, complex, and provide a vital tool for communication, connection, and cultural expression.

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