1


                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of SDL, Inc. for
the registration of shares of its common stock, issued or to be issued in
connection with its acquisition of Queensgate Instruments Limited, and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 29, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of SDL, Inc. incorporated by
reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended January 1, 1999
and the related financial statement schedule included therein, and our report
dated January 29, 1999 (except Note 16, as to which the date is May 14, 1999 and
except for paragraph 4 of Note 1 and Note 17, as to which the date is May 18,
1999) with respect to the supplemental consolidated financial statements and
schedules of SDL, Inc. included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18,
1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                            /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


San Jose, California
March 8, 2000