EXHIBIT 5.1

                               March 17, 1999

Aspect Telecommunications Corporation
1730 Fox Drive
San Jose, CA 95131-2312

        REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
        ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 17, 1999
(the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of $213,983,100 aggregate principal amount
at maturity of Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2018 (the 
"Debentures") and shares of your Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 
Debentures (the "Conversion Shares") to be sold by certain securityholders 
listed in the Registration Statement (the "Selling Securityholders"). As your 
legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with 
the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale of the
Debentures and the Conversion Shares by the Selling Securityholders in the 
manner set forth in the Registration Statement in the section entitled "Plan 
of Distribution."

        It is our opinion that the Debentures and the Conversion Shares, when 
sold by the Selling Securityholders in the manner referred to in the 
Registration Statement, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and 
nonassessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever it 
appears in the Registration Statement and any amendments to it.

                                        Sincerely,


                                        VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                        A Professional Corporation

                                        /s/ VENTURE LAW GROUP