Learning about sign language

Wycliffe Today Winter 2025 Edition

It is estimated that there are around 70 million Deaf people in the world today who rely on sign language as their primary means of communication. A common misconception is that cochlear implants and hearing aids are sufficient for enabling Deaf people to understand conversations, yet these devices only help to improve the perception of some sounds. Most Deaf individuals still need sign language to fully engage with and understand conversations. Aside from gaining a clearer understanding of the information being shared, sign language forms a key part of identity, culture and belonging for many Deaf communities. 

Unlike spoken languages, sign languages are unique to their geographical locations. There are 280 documented sign languages in the world and anywhere from 138 and 300 different sign languages are being used today. Despite the prevalence of sign language usage, there is still only one complete translation of the Bible in a sign language: American Sign Language (ASL). 

Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

 Australian sign language, or Auslan, has been in use since the 1800s, yet the Australian Government only recognised it as an official, distinct language in 1991. The first time it has ever been included as a language option in Australia-wide research was in the latest Census (2021). Information from that Census revealed that over 16,000 people use Auslan in the home, but calculations from the Australian Disability Network estimate that the total number of people who speak Auslan is closer to 30,000. Grammar, syntax and concepts are completely different to written English. You will often see a capital ‘D’ in most references to Deaf communities, as it is the preferred way to signify their cultural identity.

Auslan translation and Deaf needs in Australia

• there are two completed books of the Bible that have Auslan translations: John and Acts
• 4% of the Old Testament and 37% of the New Testament has been translated into Auslan
• the statistics for deafness increase significantly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 2019 figures show an alarming
• 43% occurrence of hearing loss among people aged seven years and older from Indigenous communities.

The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated on 23 September every year to raise awareness and support for Deaf people throughout the world. What can you do to show your support? 

> Educate yourself about the needs surrounding the Deaf community

> Advocate for greater accessibility and resources in Auslan

> Visit Signbank at https://auslan.org.au/ to learn some basic signs in Auslan

If you are looking for help and resources in Auslan, visit https://deafconnect.org.au/

_{Featured image: Heather Pubols}

Discover more about Chameleon: The technology assisting sign language projects that Wycliffe Australia members Saul and Rebecca Thurrowgood have been helping to develop.