Hungarian Sign Language

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A language of Hungary

ISO 639-3
hsh
Alternate Names
Magyar Jelnyelv, Magyarországi jelnyelv
User Population

10,000 in Hungary (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 9,000 (2021 EUD), 49,000 Deaf (2014 IMB). Total users in all countries: 11,200.

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Constitution, Article H(3)). Recognized language (2009, Act CXXV on Hungarian Sign Language and the use of Hungarian Sign Language).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

Budapest, Sopron, Debrecen, Szeged, Eger, Kaposvár, Vác. Budapest dialect is viewed as the standard. Other dialects show significant lexical variation, some in grammar, with some reports of difficulty communicating between some dialects but no systematic assessment. Related to Austrian Sign Language [asq].

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Hungarian [hun].

Language Development

Dictionary. Bible portions: 2018. Agency: Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SINOSZ).

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

150 registered sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Christian, secular.

Also spoken in:

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