Nigerian Sign Language
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A language of Nigeria
Alternate Names
NSL
User Population
800,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 600,000–1,000,000 deaf signers, based on 0.3%–0.5% of the general population.
Location
Scattered.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Dialects
Western NSL (Lagos), Southern/southeastern NSL (Imo state). Related to American Sign Language (ASL) [ase] and Ghanaian Sign Language [gse]. Influence from spoken English [eng]. Incorporates many local and regional signs, enough that Nigerian Sign Language is now distinct from ASL (2015 E. Asonye). Incorporation of regional signs results in significant dialect differences between western Nigeria (Lagos and vicinity) vs. southern/southeastern regions, such as three deaf schools in Imo state (2015 E. Asonye).
Language Use
Used by all.
Language Development
Taught in primary and secondary schools. Bible portions: 2014.
Originated in 1960, developing out of deaf schools established by deaf American educator Andrew Foster. Some classes in NSL for parents of deaf children (2015 E. Asonye).