Cuban Sign Language

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Cuba

ISO 639-3
csf
Alternate Names
Cuba Sign Language, LSC, LSCu, Lengua de señas cubana, Lengua de señas cubanas
User Population

34,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 22,000–45,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Other estimates vary: 19,000 users (Garau Cordovés 2012); 23,600 (2008 WFD); 109,000 deaf (2019 IMB).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Dictionary. Agency: Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Cuba (ANSOC), Centro Nacional de Superación y Desarrollo del Sordo (CENDSOR).

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

First deaf school established in 1906, with some early ASL influence. Oralist education through most of the 20th century, during which time LSC developed (Braithwaite 2017). LSC introduced in schools in 1994 (Garau Cordovés 2012; 2019 J. Tomayo). Currently 17 schools, one per province and three in Havana, with some classes for hearing parents with deaf children (2019 J. Tomayo).