Brazilian Sign Language

A language of Brazil

LIBRAS, LSB, Libras, Língua Brasileira de Sinais, Língua de Sinais Brasileira, Língua de Sinais dos Centros Urbanos Brasileiros, SPSL, São Paulo Sign Language

User Population

630,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 420,000–840,000 deaf sign language users, based on 0.2%–0.4% of the general population. Another estimate: 2,000,000 (2019 R. Quadros). Ethnic population: 9,700,000 (2010). Ethnic population represents people with significant hearing loss (2010 census).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Law 10.436/2002, Parliamentary decree 5626/2005).

Classification

Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Typology

One-handed fingerspelling system derived from French Sign Language [fsl].

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Portuguese [por].

Language Development

TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Agency: Federação Nacional De Educação e Integração Dos Surdos (FENEIS).