Understanding Dialects within Auslan

What Are Auslan Dialects?

Just like spoken languages can have different accents, words, and regional expressions, Auslan (Australian Sign Language) has regional variations known as dialects. The two main dialects of Auslan are commonly referred to as the Northern Dialect and the Southern Dialect.

Both dialects are recognised and accepted forms of Auslan. They share the same language structure and grammar, but some signs are produced differently depending on where a person learned Auslan.

Importantly, neither dialect is “correct” or “better” than the other—they simply reflect the rich history and diversity of the Australian Deaf community.

Northern vs Southern Dialects

The most commonly recognised division is:

While these groupings are generally accepted, there is significant overlap, and many Auslan users are familiar with signs from both dialects.

What Signs Should I be Using?

At Sunshine Sign and Sing, our goal is to make key word sign a simple, effective communication tool that can be used by both children and adults. This is why we have developed a selection criteria to determine what signs we use within our program, and what we recommend using within yours.

Further Learning

To learn more about Auslan and regional sign variations, we encourage connecting with local Deaf organisations, Auslan teachers, and members of the Deaf community, who are the custodians and experts of Australia’s signed language.

Suggested Links:

• https://deafconnect.org.au/
• https://www.deafaustralia.org.au/