Libyan Sign Language

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A language of Libya

ISO 639-3
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User Population

20,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/IMB). Estimated 13,000–27,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of total population. Another estimate: 38,000 (2014 IMB).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

None known. Unclear how similar it is to other sign languages in the region. Not the same as Unified Arabic Sign Language, an artificial system promoted by representatives of 18 Arabic-speaking countries (Rashdan 2016).

Language Use

Deaf associations.

Language Development

Videos. Dictionary. Agency: Libyan General Federation of Deaf Societies (LGFDS).

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

Muslim.