Auslan regional dialects: why signs differ across Australia
Just like spoken English has accents and regional words, Auslan has regional dialects. A sign used in Perth might look different in Brisbane, and that variation is a normal, fascinating part of the language, not a sign that you’re learning it “wrong”.
Northern and southern dialects
Auslan is often described as having a northern and a southern dialect. The differences show up most in everyday vocabulary: signs for colours, numbers and the days of the week are classic examples that can differ between regions. The grammar and the two-handed fingerspelling alphabet stay the same across the country, so these are dialect differences, not different languages.
Where the dialects came from
The split goes back to the 1860s, when the first deaf schools opened in Sydney and Melbourne. Each school became the centre of a signing community, and slightly different vocabularies grew up around them. Those early differences were handed down through generations of signers, which is why you can still see them today. It’s the same story we tell in the history of Auslan.
What this means for learners
Regional variation can feel intimidating when you’re starting out, but in practice it’s rarely a barrier. Signers usually understand both variants, and you’ll pick up the version used around you naturally. A few tips:
- Learn your local signs first. They’re the ones you’ll use most in your own community.
- Stay curious, not corrective. A different sign isn’t a mistake, just a dialect.
- Learn from native signers. Real Deaf-community video shows you the variation a single chart never could.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Auslan really change between states?
- Yes. Auslan has regional variation, much like spoken accents and dialects. Linguists often describe a northern and a southern dialect, and everyday signs (for things like colours, numbers and days of the week) can differ from one region to another.
- Where did Auslan's regional dialects come from?
- They trace back to the first deaf schools, founded in Sydney and Melbourne in the 1860s. Signing communities grew around these separate schools, and slightly different vocabularies developed and were passed down through the generations.
- Will regional differences make Auslan hard to learn?
- No. Signers across Australia generally understand both variants, and context makes most differences easy to follow. As a learner, it helps to learn the signs used in your own region first, then stay open to the variation you'll meet when you sign with people from elsewhere.
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