EXHIBIT 5.1




                               November 24, 1999


Aspect Communications Corporation
1310 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA  95131-2313

     Registration Statement on Form S-8
     ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 24, 1999 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 4,100,000 shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under Aspect's 1990 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended and
1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Option Plans"). 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 and issuance of the Shares under the
Option Plans.

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the Option Plans and pursuant to the respective agreement which accompanies each
grant under the Option Plans, the Shares 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