Not All Sign Languages Are the Same

It might surprise many people to learn this, but sign language is not universal. In fact, American Sign Language (ASL) is completely different from Australian Sign Language (Auslan) New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), British Sign Language (BSL), and other countries sign languages.  

This is something well understood in Deaf and signing communities, but it’s often not widely known outside of them. So if you’ve always thought sign language was the same everywhere - you’re not alone. 

Let’s clear things up.

ASL Translation

Signed Languages Are Local Languages - Just like spoken languages, signed languages evolve in different countries and cultures.

Here’s a quick example: 

Signed Language	Used In	Closely Related To
ASL	USA and parts of Canada	French Sign Language (LSF)
NZSL	New Zealand	BSL & Auslan
Auslan	Australia	BSL & NZSL
BSL	United Kingdom	Auslan & NZSL

Even though the US, UK, and New Zealand all speak English, their signed languages are not mutually intelligible. That means someone fluent in ASL likely can’t understand NZSL - just like a French speaker can’t understand English. 

Sign languages often develop independently, even in countries that share a spoken language. ASL, NZSL, Auslan, and BSL come from different language families: 

• ASL comes from French Sign Language (LSF), brought to the U.S. in the 1800s. 

• BSL, Auslan, and NZSL belong to the British Sign Language family, which spread through Deaf education across the British Empire. 

• These two families—French and British—are unrelated, meaning ASL and BSL are not mutually intelligible despite both countries using English. 

• German Sign Language (DGS) is part of a separate lineage again, highlighting how sign languages can evolve uniquely across cultures. 

Sign languages reflect the communities they come from—not the spoken languages around them. 

It’s Not Just Hand Gestures 

Signed languages are full, natural languages with their own grammar, sentence structure, and idioms. They’re not just English with your hands—they use the whole body to communicate meaning. 

In sign language, facial expressions, head movements, and body position are all essential parts of the message. For example, raising your eyebrows can turn a sentence into a question, while shifting your shoulders can show who is speaking in a conversation. 

Even common signs like “thank you” or “family” are not only formed differently between countries, but may be delivered with different facial expressions or body positioning depending on the language being used. These elements are built into the grammar—not just added for flair. 

 

Culture Matters 

Signed languages also carry the culture and values of the Deaf community in each place. NZSL, for example, includes unique signs for Māori concepts. These cultural connections make each signed language richer - and even more distinct. 

Subtitles Aren’t the Same 

People often assume that captions or subtitles make content accessible. While they help, many Deaf people have sign language as their first or preferred language, not written English. That’s why providing the correct local signed language is so important - it’s about true understanding, not just translation. 

Why It Matters 

Using the wrong sign language is like using French for a meeting in Japan. They might both be fluent in different languages—but if it's not the one your audience understands, the message won’t get through. It’s not just confusing—it can feel completely disconnected.  

So next time you create or consume signed content ask yourself: Who is your targeted audience? Which sign language do they use? And is it the right one for the people watching? 

Because using the correct sign language matters - just like it does with spoken languages.