Auslan Day: what it is and why it matters
Auslan Day is a yearly celebration of Australian Sign Language and the Deaf community. It’s a moment to recognise Auslan as a real language, honour Deaf culture, and encourage more Australians to learn to sign.
When is Auslan Day, and why that date?
Auslan Day falls on 13 April. The date marks the publication of the first Auslan dictionary in 1989, a landmark in documenting the language and confirming, formally, that Auslan has its own vocabulary and grammar. That story is part of the wider history of Auslan.
Why it matters
Visibility matters for any language community. Auslan Day raises awareness of Auslan and Deaf culture, and reminds the wider public that Australia has its own sign language, not a universal one, and not English on the hands. (Those are two of the most common myths about Auslan.) Days like this also tend to spark a wave of interest from people wanting to learn their first signs.
How to take part
- Learn a sign and share it. Even one new sign is a small act of awareness.
- Support Deaf-led organisations and follow Deaf creators and interpreters.
- Start learning Auslan. Begin with the fingerspelling alphabet and a handful of everyday signs.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Auslan Day?
- Auslan Day is held on 13 April each year. The date marks the publication of the first Auslan dictionary in 1989, a milestone in recognising Auslan as a language in its own right.
- What does Auslan Day celebrate?
- Auslan Day celebrates Australian Sign Language and the Deaf community that uses it. It's a chance to raise awareness of Auslan, recognise Deaf culture, and encourage more people to learn even a few signs.
- How can I take part in Auslan Day?
- You can learn and share a new sign, support Deaf-led organisations, follow Deaf creators, or simply start learning Auslan. Even learning to fingerspell your name or sign a greeting is a meaningful way to mark the day.
Ready to see these signs in action?
Auslearn teaches Auslan with video lessons from native signers, gamified practice, and a searchable sign dictionary. It is free on iOS and Android.
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