What is AUSLAN and what makes it distinctive?
AUSLAN is short for Australian Sign Language, a language developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired. It’s a visual form of communication that employs hand, arm, and body movements to convey meaning. Similar to spoken languages, Auslan can exhibit regional variations. Different areas in Australia may have their own signs or modifications in signs. But Auslan is not solely a means of communication; it is also an integral part of the Deaf community's cultural identity. The Deaf community in Australia possesses a rich culture with its own traditions, social norms, and shared experiences.
Nearly 20,000 individuals use Auslan to communicate daily! But how did Auslan come about? Auslan dates back approximately 200 years when British, Irish, and Scottish immigrants introduced sign language to Australia. Over time, Auslan developed its unique characteristics. And, much like other languages, Auslan continues to evolve as the Australian deaf and hearing-impaired community expands. Auslan is distinctly Australian. Similar to various languages spoken worldwide, people who are deaf use different sign languages depending on their origin (it’s estimated there are 130 sign languages globally). Due to historical similarities, Auslan is more akin to British Sign Language (BSL) than American Sign Language (ASL), allowing Australians to often comprehend BSL, and vice versa.
Auslan employs a fingerspelling system for names, places, and concepts that may not have specific signs. Fingerspelling involves using handshapes to represent letters of the alphabet. Research indicates that fingerspelling is used in about 10% of communication by Auslan users.
But how do children learn Auslan? Children pick up sign language much like they acquire a spoken language. From around six months, babies will start to “babble” with their hands. By their first birthday, they’ll typically produce their first sign, which aligns with the time children learning spoken languages utter their first word. As signing children grow and learn more complex words, their ability to create accurate handshapes will improve. Auslan is utilized in Deaf education in Australia. Many Deaf children learn Auslan as their primary language, and it is employed in Deaf schools alongside other educational tools.
The Deaf community in Australia actively champions for the recognition and inclusion of Auslan in various aspects of society. Ongoing efforts aim to raise awareness about the linguistic and cultural aspects of Auslan.