Yolngu Sign Language
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A language of Australia
Alternate Names
Hands in action, YSL, Yolŋu Sign Language
User Population
50 (2012 D. Adone). About 40–50 deaf users (Adone et al 2012); unknown number of hearing L1 and L2 users.
Location
Northern Territory: Arnhem Land region, Elcho and Milingimbi islands, Ramingining, Yirrkala, and Waraga.
Language Maps
Language Status
7 (Shifting).
Dialects
None known. Not a signed version of any of the surrounding Yolngu languages, but independent (Adone et al 2012).
Language Use
Used both by deaf and by hearing who speak a variety of Yolngu languages. Every child acquires signs from birth (Adone et al 2012). Nearly all domains by deaf; as an alternate language by hearing when at a distance, hunting, or when silence is required for ceremonies or in the proximity of sacred objects (Adone et al 2012). Shifting to Djambarrpuyngu [djr] (Adone et al 2012).
Language Development
Videos.