ASL and BSL are distinct languages: American Sign Language is used in the United States and parts of Canada, while British Sign Language is used in the United Kingdom. Knowing one does not mean you automatically understand the other. The difference is not simply a matter of accent or spelling; each has its own vocabulary and grammatical patterns. [1]
The shared English background can mislead
Because ASL and BSL are used in places where English is prominent, it is tempting to assume that they are signed forms of English. They are not. A sign language is a language in its own right, with patterns that cannot be inferred just from the spoken language around it. English words can be used to write glosses for signs, but a gloss is an approximate label for discussion, not a word-for-word translation. [1]
The textbook used here explicitly identifies ASL and BSL as two distinct languages. That distinction matters in practice: a signer fluent in ASL should not be presumed to understand BSL, or vice versa. Sign languages are not universal gestures, and different communities have developed different systems. [1]
Differences reach beyond individual signs
A beginner may first notice different handshapes or movements for familiar concepts. But vocabulary is only one layer. Languages can differ in how signs are arranged, how the face and body contribute grammatical information, and how context is handled. This is why substituting a remembered ASL sign into a BSL sentence, or the reverse, may not communicate what the learner intends. The language’s own patterns need to be learned. [1]
Consider a clearly hypothetical example: Maya has learned an ASL sign for a place and wants to ask a BSL user where to meet. She should not assume the ASL sign is shared because both people speak some English. A better approach is to identify which sign language the other person uses, then learn the relevant BSL expression from a BSL source. The example illustrates a method, not a real interaction or a claim about a particular sign.
Choose based on the people and setting
If your goal is to communicate with a particular Deaf community, begin by finding out which language its members use and what varieties are common in that setting. A location can be a useful clue, but it does not settle an individual’s language background or preference. Ask respectfully, and be open to someone using another language or communication method. A person’s hearing status alone does not tell you which sign language they know.
For a class, event, or service, name the requested language specifically. Saying only “sign language” can leave an organizer guessing which interpreter or instructor is needed. When planning access, consult the Deaf participants about their language preference and make the arrangement early. A request for ASL should not be silently treated as a request for BSL simply because a provider is available.
A small learning exercise
To make the distinction practical, choose one everyday goal—introducing yourself, asking for directions, or describing a schedule. Write down the situation in plain English, then learn how to express it in the target language from a teacher or fluent user. Note which signs, movements, facial information, and ordering choices are taught. Do not use an English sentence as a template and translate each word mechanically. [1]
If you later study the other language, keep separate notes and label each example ASL or BSL. That simple habit prevents you from blending forms together or treating one language as the default. For either language, prioritize lessons that explain context and usage, not isolated hand shapes alone. The goal is to build a working understanding of the language’s patterns and of the community’s conventions.
