Croatian Sign Language
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A language of Croatia
6,500 (2019 EUD). Other estimates vary: 12,000 (2010 Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing); 13,000 (2014 Union of Deaf of Zagreb). 17,500 (2014 IMB). Ethnic population: 20,000 (2010 Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing).
Scattered.
5 (Developing).
Origin from deaf schools in Austria and Hungary. In the past, regarded as a dialect of Yugoslavian Sign Language [ysl] (Bickford 2005); further research needed to determine amount of difference with other sign languages of the former Yugoslavia. Fingerspelling alphabets vary considerably throughout the Balkans (one- vs. two-handed, Latin vs. Cyrillic, 2020 B. van der Louw). One-handed fingerspelling system is similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
One-handed fingerspelling. Two-handed fingerspelling (Kuhn et al 2006:56).
Deaf schools. Deaf associations. Used by all.
TV. Videos. Agency: Croatian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HSGN).
L2 teaching materials, including for medical personnel. The first school for the deaf in Croatia was formed in Zagreb in 1885. 52 interpreters (2014 Union of Deaf of Zagreb). HZJ is recognized by the government and a law to provide educational protection and assistance is before Parliament (2014). L2 teaching materials, including for medical personnel. Christian.