In which countries is ASL predominantly used?

American Sign Language (ASL) is predominantly used in Canada and the United States, which makes the chosen answer accurate. In these countries, ASL serves as the primary language for many Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and has developed its unique grammar and syntax, distinct from spoken English.

In the United States, ASL emerged historically from the blending of French Sign Language with local sign languages and has evolved into a fully-fledged language used in education, community events, and everyday communication among Deaf individuals. In Canada, while there are other sign languages used, Canadian Sign Language has similarities with ASL due to historical influences and interaction between Deaf communities across the border.

In contrast, the other options feature countries where different sign languages predominate. For example, Australia and New Zealand utilize Auslan, while the United Kingdom and Ireland use British Sign Language (BSL). India uses Indian Sign Language, and South Africa has its own variants of sign language that differ significantly from ASL. Understanding the specific sign languages used in these contexts highlights the rich diversity within Deaf communities globally.