Auslan vs ASL: what’s the difference?

Different language families

Auslan belongs to the BANZSL family, British, Australian and New Zealand Sign Language, which developed from the sign language brought to Australia by British settlers. Auslan, BSL, and NZSL remain closely related, and signers of these languages can understand each other to a large degree.

ASL has a completely different ancestry: it developed in the United States in the early 1800s under strong influence from French Sign Language. As a result, ASL has more in common with French Sign Language than with Auslan or BSL. Auslan and ASL are not mutually intelligible.

Key differences at a glance

• Fingerspelling: Auslan uses a two-handed alphabet; ASL uses a one-handed alphabet. The two systems share almost nothing.
• Vocabulary: the signs themselves are different. Knowing the ASL sign for a word generally tells you nothing about the Auslan sign.
• Grammar: both are fully grammatical natural languages, but their grammars evolved independently and differ from each other (and from English).
• Community: Auslan is the language of the Australian Deaf community and is recognised in Australian government policy as a community language. ASL serves the Deaf communities of the United States and much of Canada.

Why this matters for learners in Australia

The internet is dominated by American content, and sign language is no exception: most viral signing videos, online courses, and tutorials teach ASL, often without labelling it. An Australian learner who spends months on ASL tutorials will be unable to hold a conversation with Deaf people in their own country.

If your goal is to communicate with Deaf family, friends, colleagues, or clients in Australia, make sure the resource you choose is explicitly teaching Auslan, with signs demonstrated by fluent Australian signers. A good place to start is our guide to basic Auslan signs for beginners.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone who knows ASL understand Auslan?

Not without learning it. Auslan and ASL are different languages from different language families, with different vocabulary, different grammar, and even different fingerspelling alphabets. An ASL signer visiting Australia would need to learn Auslan, just as an English speaker would need to learn another spoken language.

Is Auslan just English on the hands?

No. Auslan is a natural language with its own grammar and word order, distinct from English. Signed English is a separate system that maps signs onto English word order. It is not Auslan. Deaf Australians use Auslan as a complete, independent language.

Should I learn Auslan or ASL in Australia?

If you want to communicate with the Deaf community in Australia, learn Auslan. ASL is used in the United States and parts of Canada, and ASL skills won't transfer to conversations with Deaf Australians. Be careful with online tutorials: much of the sign language content on the internet teaches ASL without saying so.

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