Japanese Sign Language
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A language of Japan
Alternate Names
JSL, NS, NSG, Nihon Shuwa, Nihon Shuwa Gengo, Shuwa, Temane
User Population
126,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimate assuming 0.1% of total population. Other estimates vary widely: 23,900 (2008 WFD); 317,000 (Van Cleve 1986).
Location
Scattered.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Basic Act of Persons with Disabilities), guarantees the opportunity to choose ‘sign language’, but no further details.
Language Use
Vigorous. Over 95% of the deaf understand Japanese Sign Language. 107 deaf schools. The first school opened in Kyoto in 1878. Used by all. Also use Japanese [jpn].
Language Development
TV. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1993–2018.
‘Shuwa’ (sign language) is the most common name in Japan; ‘Nihon Shuwa’ (NS, Japanese Sign Language) is used primarily by linguists, although many linguists use the English name and abbreviation; ‘Temane’ (gesturing) is a former name, not commonly used today. Signed Japanese is distinct from NS (but not always recognized as such), and is used often in formal situations, lectures, speeches, schools, and for interaction with hearing people. ‘Nihon Shuwa Gengo’ (NSG) is a fairly recent invention by the Japanese Federation of the Deaf that is intended to encompass both NS and Signed Japanese. 80% of the deaf understand fingerspelling.