Bulgarian Sign Language

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A language of Bulgaria

ISO 639-3
bqn
Alternate Names
Balgarski žestomimičen ezik, BŽE
User Population

21,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 14,000–28,000, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Other estimates: 37,000 (2014 IMB), 50,000 (2019 EUD).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

None known. Different sign languages are used in school and by adults outside.

Typology

One-handed fingerspelling (Cyrillic script).

Language Use

Since 1920. Primary schools for deaf people since 1898. Allowed in school since 1945. Interpreters are required in court; some available for college students. Used by all.

Language Development

TV. Videos. Dictionary. Agency: Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria (UDB).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bulgarian Sign Language
Other Comments

46 working sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Instruction for parents of deaf children available. Christian.