Australian Aborigines Sign Language
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A language of Australia
Scattered.
6b* (Threatened).
None known. Actually, not a single language, but a collection of separate languages used by different aboriginal groups (e.g. Aranda, Warlpiri, Warumuŋu, Yolŋu; Kendon 2015). A few of these have been recognized separately in ISO 639-3, namely Miriwoong Sign Language [rsm], Yan-nhaŋu Sign Language [yhs], and Yolŋu Sign Language [ygs], but there are a number of others, so ISO 639-3 has retained the code [asw] to be used for them until they acquire their own codes. Others include Indigenous Sign Language of Far North Queensland (Jackson 2015) and several in Central Australia (Carew and Green 2015) and Arnhem Land (Adone and Maypilama 2015). All are unrelated to Auslan [asf], and probably pre-date the arrival of Europeans.
Used by hearing Aborigines as alternate form of communication with speakers of other languages, or when silence is required during periods of mourning or hunting. Several, perhaps all, such sign languages are also used by deaf persons in the community.
Dictionary.