Irish Sign Language

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A language of Ireland

Location

Scattered.

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Australia

Language NameAustralian Irish Sign Language

User Population

50 in Australia (2016 R. Adam), decreasing. Estimated 50–100 users left, no monolinguals.

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

AISL

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only. Shifted to Auslan [asf].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Introduced in 1875, used in at least three deaf schools until the 1950s, with separate schools (and dialects) for boys and girls. After leaving schooling in AISL, deaf people learned Auslan [asf]. Those who still use AISL tend to mix it with Auslan [asf] and may have difficulty remembering AISL signs (2016 R. Adam).

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United Kingdom

Language NameIrish Sign Language

User Population

1,500 in United Kingdom (Parks and Parks 2012).

Location

Scattered in Northern Ireland, particularly Londonderry and other areas with stronger Catholic ties.

Dialects

None known. Some differences with Irish Sign Language as used in Dublin (Parks and Parks 2012).

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Most also use British Sign Language [bfi] (Parks and Parks 2012).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Catholic Deaf in Northern Ireland historically tended to go to Dublin for schooling, acquiring Irish Sign Language there (Parks and Parks 2012). However, because most services in Northern Ireland are available in British Sign Language [bfi], most native ISL users are also proficient in BSL. 50 working sign language interpreters (2019 EUD).

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Irish Sign Language

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A language of Ireland

Also spoken in:

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