Tunisian Sign Language

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A language of Tunisia

ISO 639-3
tse
User Population

21,200 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.2% of total population. Another estimate: 53,000 deaf (2014 IMB).

Location

Scattered, especially Tunis and Sfax.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

None known. Not the same as Unified Arabic Sign Language, an artificial system promoted by representatives of 18 Arabic-speaking countries (Rashdan 2016). Loans from French Sign Language [fsl] and Italian Sign Language [ise].

Language Use

Approximately 70 deaf schools (Total Communication, 2008 WFD). Used by all.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: Low (2008 WFD). Dictionary. Agencies: Voice of the Deaf Association of Tunisia (WFD); ICHARA; Tunisian Association for Assistance to the Deaf.

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

Interpretation of television news (20 min. daily, but not well-understood), no interpreters in government institutions or at university, all interpreting services are voluntary (2008 WFD). Muslim.