Papua New Guinean Sign Language

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A language of Papua New Guinea

ISO 639-3
pgz
Alternate Names
Melanesian Sign Language, PNGSL
User Population

30,000 (2015 N. Simonsson Juhonewe). 30,000 is an estimate, approximately 0.34% of the overall population; unclear if this represents all deaf or only signing deaf.

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2015, Decision No. 100/2015, Directive No. 8), National Executive Council (NEC) endorsement of the National Policy on disability 2015–2016 (7 May 2015).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

There is a considerable regional variation, but different varieties are mutually understood by deaf people throughout the country. Influence from Auslan [asf] but not mutually intelligible with it. Influence from Tok Pisin [tpi].

Language Use

Vigorous. Used by all.

Language Development

Dictionary.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Papua New Guinean Sign Language
Other Comments

Two books published prior to 2015 reflect stronger influence from Auslan [asf] than occurs in actual daily use (2016 N. Simonsson Juhonewe). In addition to PNGSL, isolated rural locations in Papua New Guinea with apparently distinct sign languages have been reported in Enga (Kendon 1980a), Oro (2014 N. Simonsson Juhonewe), and Chimbu (Rarrick 2018) provinces, and elsewhere.