Tanzanian Sign Language
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A language of Tanzania
Alternate Names
LAT, Lugha ya Alama ya Tanzania
User Population
290,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 175,000–350,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. Another estimate: 278,000 deaf signers (2008 WFD).
Location
Scattered, mainly in urban areas.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Dialects
None known. There are reports of significant differences in two regions of the country: around Tabora (location of the first deaf school) and the Moshi-Kilimanjaro region; the extent of the differences have not been determined. Distinct from sign languages in surrounding countries.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all.
Language Development
Taught in primary schools for deaf children since 1963. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2011–2014. Agency: Tanzania Association of the Deaf.
Historically, schools for the deaf used different sign languages, and some schools teach only speech and lip-reading. More recently, Tanzanian Sign Language was standardized by the Tanzania Association for the Deaf which is attempting to use it in most schools for the deaf.