Slovenian Sign Language

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Slovenia

ISO 639-3
ysl
Alternate Names
SZJ, Slovene Sign Language, Slovenski Znakovni Jezik, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language
User Population

1,000 in Slovenia (2014 Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Slovenia). About 0.05% of total population. Other estimates: 863 (2021 EUD); 2,500–3,000 (2004 M. Debecv et al). Total users in all countries: 25,000.

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Law 96/02, Law on the Use of Slovenian Sign Language, ZUSZJ).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

Degree of variation with other former Yugoslavian countries is unknown, but reportedly minor. Fingerspelling alphabets vary considerably throughout the Balkans (one- vs. two-handed, Latin vs. Cyrillic, 2020 B. van der Louw).

Typology

Fingerspelling alphabet based on French Sign Language [fsl].

Language Use

Deaf schools. Deaf associations. Used by all. Also use Slovene [slv], in written form, which is taught in deaf schools.

Language Development

TV. Theater. Videos. Dictionary. Agency: Slovenian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ZDGNS).

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

Origin from deaf schools in Austria and Hungary. Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, each area has tended to distinguish its variety from the others, with its own name. The ISO 639-3 standard has not yet been adjusted to reflect these changes, treating all sign languages in the former Yugoslavia (with the exception of Croatian Sign Language [csq]) as dialects of Yugoslavian Sign Language [ysl]. 46 registered sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Christian.

Also spoken in:

Expand All
Collapse All