Mardin Sign Language
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A language of Turkey
Alternate Names
MarSL
User Population
40 (Dikyuva 2012), deaf and hearing members of the Dilsiz family.
Location
Mardin province: Mardin city, near the Syrian border.
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct).
Language Use
The main factor keeping it in use is the hearing people who have no incentive to learn Turkish Sign Language [tsm]. Family celebrations, such as weddings. Elderly only. Most shifted to Turkish Sign Language [tsm] (Dikyuva 2012). Also use North Levantine Spoken Arabic [apc], by hearing members of the family.
Language Development
Videos.
Most deaf members have moved away from Mardin, have learned Turkish Sign Language [tsm], and associate with the national Turkish Deaf community.