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Auslan (/ ˈ ɒ z l æ n /) is the sign language used by the majority of the Australian Deaf community. The term Auslan is a portmanteau of "Australian Sign Language", coined by Trevor Johnston in the 1980s, although the language itself is much older.
- 10,000 (2016 census)
- Australia
- Northern dialect (NSW, QLD), Victorian dialect and South-Eastern dialect (all other states), Papua New Guinean Sign Language is an offshoot
Use of signed language may have gone underground during the 1900's but it was still alive, and finally research in the 1960s on American Sign Language, 1970's on British Sign Language, and 1980's on Auslan, proved that signed languages were just as valid and sophisticated as spoken languages.
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Auslan has developed some distinct characteristics (in particular, some unique signs) since it first began to be used in Australia in the nineteenth century. New signs developed in the Australian deaf community, particularly in the residential schools for deaf children because signers may have had little contact with deaf communities in other ...
The native language of the Deaf community of Australia is Australian Sign Language, otherwise commonly known as Auslan. Auslan was coined by Trevor Johnston in the early 1980s. The language itself is much older, and can be dated back to the late 1790s.
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 uses hand, arm and body movements to convey meaning. Is Auslan used in other countries? No, Auslan is uniquely Australian.
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Whilst the portmanteau “Auslan” was only coined in 1987, Australian Sign Language has existed in Australia and has evolved over more than 200 years, since the first ships from Britain arrived on our shores. Indigenous signed languages further pre-date Auslan, however, we do not know much about them.
Auslan is the main language used by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Australia, and is used by almost 20,000 people every day. Raising awareness of Auslan will help to create a more understanding, accessible and connected world for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
