The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.
SIL code: ASF
ISO 639-2: sgn
| Population | 14,000 users possibly (1991 Hyde and Power). |
| Alternate names | AUSLAN |
| Classification | Deaf sign language. |
| Comments | Related to British Sign Language, with influences also from Irish and American sign languages. Australian Signed English is different. It is a manual system for English spelling, used by hearing people for communication with the deaf. It is used in teaching the deaf, and officially so in New South Wales. The earliest schools for the deaf were established by British deaf immigrants in 1860. Many agencies for the deaf. Some signed interpretation in court, for college students, at important public events. There is sign language instruction for parents of deaf children. There is a committee on national sign language. Dictionary. Grammar. Films, TV, videos. |
