West Bengal Sign Language
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A language of India
Alternate Names
Kolkata Sign Language, W.B. Sign Language, WBSL
User Population
450,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 275,000–550,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. Another estimate: 37,000–197,000 current deaf signers, out of 400,000–600,000 who could learn and use WBSL (2016 R. Johnson).
Location
West Bengal state: scattered.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Dialects
None known. Most similar to Indian Sign Language [ins], and especially close to the ISL variety called Bangla Sign Language in Bangladesh, which on some criteria might be considered the same language as WBSL (Johnson and Johnson 2016). Related to other sign languages in south Asia; see comments on Indian Sign Language [ins] in India.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all.
Language Development
Videos. Dictionary.
Apparently originated in Calcutta Deaf and Dumb School founded in 1893, then spread to as many as 7 deaf schools in West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh) by 1932. Some variation among 14 or more current schools, plus borrowing from other regions in India (Johnson and Johnson 2016).