Auslan myths: what people get wrong about sign language

Myth 1: “Sign language is universal”

Reality: there is no single, worldwide sign language. Every country tends to have its own. Australia uses Auslan; the United States uses American Sign Language (ASL); the United Kingdom uses British Sign Language (BSL). They differ in vocabulary and grammar, and (surprisingly to many people) Auslan is closer to BSL than to ASL. We unpack that in Auslan vs ASL.

Myth 2: “Auslan is just English with hand signs”

Reality: Auslan has its own grammar and word order. It is not a word-for-word signed version of English. This matters for learners: trying to map English directly onto Auslan is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Auslan is a language in its own right, with a rich history you can read about in the history of Auslan.

Myth 3: “You only need your hands”

Reality: the face and body carry meaning too. Eyebrows, mouth shapes, head movement and eye gaze are all part of Auslan grammar, the non-manual features that turn handshapes into clear, natural signing.

Frequently asked questions

Is sign language the same everywhere in the world?

No. Sign language is not universal. Different countries have their own sign languages: Australia has Auslan, the United States has ASL, Britain has BSL, and so on. They have different vocabularies and grammars, and signers of different sign languages cannot automatically understand each other.

Is Auslan just English with hand signs?

No. Auslan is a complete language with its own grammar, word order and vocabulary. It is not a signed form of English. Signed English exists as a separate teaching system, but Auslan, the natural language of the Australian Deaf community, is its own language.

Do you only need your hands to sign?

No. Facial expressions, eye gaze, mouth shapes and head movements all carry meaning in Auslan. These non-manual features are part of the grammar, so signing with your hands alone leaves out a lot of the message.

Keep learning