Estonian Sign Language

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Estonia

ISO 639-3
eso
Alternate Names
EVK, Eesti viipekeel, Viipekeel
User Population

1,500 (Paales 2011). 1,500 signers (2014 Estonian Deaf Association), approximately 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 4,500 sign language users out of 1,600 deaf and 20,000 hearing impaired, 2,000 persons need regular help from interpreters (1998 U. Sutrop); 6,300 (2014 IMB).

Location

Scattered, mostly in Pärnu county and Tallinn.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, No. RT1, 18.03.2011, 1, Language Act, Article 3(2)).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

Some local dialects. The dialect in Pärnu is most archaic. Influences from Finnish [fse] and Russian Sign Languages [rsl].

Typology

One-handed fingerspelling.

Language Use

First deaf school 1866. Deaf associations. Used by all. Also use Russian Sign Language [rsl].

Language Development

TV. Videos. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2021. Agency: Estonian Association of the Deaf.

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

Fingerspelling system unlike other European countries. Sign language interpretation service started 1996. 25 working sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Estonian Sign Language was first recognized in 2007. Systematic teaching and research since 1990 at Tartu University. (2014 Estonian Association of the Deaf). Sign language instruction for parents of deaf children in Tallinn.