Auslan vs BSL: how similar are they really?

A shared family tree

Auslan developed from the sign languages that British, Irish and Scottish Deaf immigrants brought to Australia in the nineteenth century. Linguists group Auslan, BSL, and New Zealand Sign Language together as the BANZSL family (British, Australian and New Zealand Sign Language), because the three share a large portion of their vocabulary and grammar. You can read more about how Auslan took shape in our history of Auslan guide.

What Auslan and BSL share

• The two-handed fingerspelling alphabet. Both languages spell English words with the same two-handed system, unlike ASL’s one-handed alphabet. Our fingerspelling guide covers how it works.
• A large shared vocabulary. Many everyday signs are identical or near-identical across the two languages.
• Similar grammar. Both are visual-spatial languages that use space, movement, and facial expression as part of their grammar.

Where they differ

Nearly two hundred years of separate development have pulled the languages apart. Auslan has coined its own signs for Australian places, institutions, and daily life, and absorbed influence from Irish Sign Language and, more recently, ASL. It also has its own internal variation: the northern and southern dialects described in our regional dialects guide. The Deaf communities behind each language are distinct too, with their own histories, organisations, and cultural references, so fluency in one doesn’t mean fluency in the other.

What this means for learners

If you live in Australia, learn Auslan. It is the language used by Deaf Australians in schools, workplaces, interpreting, and community life. Resources made for BSL will feel familiar in places, but they won’t teach you the signs and conventions the Australian Deaf community actually uses. Wondering how the comparison plays out with American Sign Language? See Auslan vs ASL, where the differences are much bigger.

Frequently asked questions

Can Auslan and BSL signers understand each other?

To a large extent, yes. Auslan and BSL belong to the same language family and share much of their vocabulary and the same two-handed fingerspelling alphabet, so signers can usually communicate with some adjustment. But the languages have diverged, so a BSL signer in Australia will still meet unfamiliar signs and local conventions.

Is Auslan just British Sign Language with a different name?

No. Auslan developed from the sign languages brought to Australia by British, Irish and Scottish Deaf immigrants in the 1800s, but it has evolved independently for nearly two centuries. It has its own vocabulary, regional dialects, and community identity, and is recognised as a distinct language.

Should I learn Auslan or BSL in Australia?

Learn Auslan. It is the language of the Australian Deaf community, so it is what you will encounter in daily life, interpreting, education, and services in Australia. BSL skills would partially transfer, but Auslan is the practical choice for anyone living here.

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