Compatibility Between New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

Australia and New Zealand share a rich historical and cultural exchange, but when it comes to their sign languages, New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and Australian Sign Language (Auslan), there are significant differences that make them distinct. These differences stem from a shared historical influence from British Sign Language (BSL) and independent linguistic evolution. This article delves into the key points surrounding the compatibility of NZSL and Auslan, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Historical Context

New Zealand and Australia’s Sign Language Beginnings: Both NZSL and Auslan trace their roots back to a shared history influenced by British Sign Language (BSL). Historical records indicate that British settlers and educators played a crucial role in the development of sign languages in both countries. This historical connection led to the adoption of some signs and grammatical structures that are common in both languages.

Lexical Similarities and Differences

Shared Vocabulary: Despite historical connections, NZSL and Auslan have diverged in terms of vocabulary. The shared influence of BSL has resulted in a certain degree of lexical similarity, but the vast majority of signs are distinctly different. Auslan and BSL have a higher rate of mutual intelligibility in terms of vocabulary, often sharing around 70% of their signs. In contrast, the percentage of identical signs between Auslan and NZSL is lower.

Vocabulary Evolution: The unique cultural and community environments in New Zealand and Australia have led to the evolution of distinct vocabularies. Auslan and BSL incorporate regional and social variations, which can make them more similar to each other than to NZSL. This diversity has contributed to the distinct identities of each language within the BANZSL (British, Australian, New Zealand Sign Language) family.

Grammar and Syntax

Different Grammatical Structures: While NZSL and Auslan share some lexical similarities, their grammatical structures differ significantly. For example, NZSL often follows a different word order and uses distinct strategies to convey tense and aspect. These differences can complicate the transfer of fluency between the two languages.

Cultural Differences

Cultural Identity: The Deaf communities in New Zealand and Australia have developed their own cultural identities, which are reflected in their sign languages. These cultural aspects contribute to the linguistic differences between NZSL and Auslan. For instance, non-manual signals, classifiers, and specific gestural variations can be unique to each community, further emphasizing their distinctiveness.

Communication Between NZSL and Auslan Users

Mutual Intelligibility: Due to the differences in vocabulary and grammar, the mutual intelligibility between NZSL and Auslan is limited. Deaf individuals from one country may struggle to fully understand the sign language of the other without prior exposure. However, for social purposes, adapting from one language to another comes naturally through conversation and engagement.

Language Proficiency: For individuals who are relatively proficient in one language, transitioning to another comes with its challenges. While a reasonably competent Auslan user might have few problems understanding NZSL, the differences in vocabulary and grammatical structures can make communication more complex. The complexity of encountering dialectal variations in BSL can further complicate the transition process.

Conclusion

While NZSL and Auslan share a historical influence from BSL and belong to the BANZSL family, their distinct features and differences make them not fully compatible. Despite this, mutual intelligibility exists for social purposes, but professional or formal situations require a deeper understanding of the specific linguistic nuances. Understanding these differences can help bridge communication gaps and foster a more inclusive sign language community.

Keywords: New Zealand Sign Language, Australian Sign Language, Compatibility

References

1. Harrison, K. D. (2015). When Languages Die: The Entropy of Human Communication Systems. Oxford University Press. 2. Kegl, J., Wilbur, S. (2010). Language Acquisition in a New Sign Language. Cambridge University Press. 3. Peck, M., Russell, T. (2010). Guidelines for Sign Language Interpreting. Routledge.

Note: The information in this article is based on current knowledge and research. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, consult relevant academic studies and professional resources.