Slovenian Sign Language

A language of Slovenia

Location

Scattered.

Also spoken in:

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Language NameBosnian Sign Language

User Population

10,000 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 7,000–13,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the general population.

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

BSL, BZJ, Bosanski znakovni jezik, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian 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).

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Some also use Bosnian [bos].

Other Comments

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Montenegro

Language NameMontenegrin Sign Language

User Population

2,000 in Montenegro (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 1,200–2,400 deaf signers, based on 0.2%–0.4% of total population.

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Montenegro Sign Language, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language

Dialects

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Some also use Montenegrin [cnr].

Other Comments

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North Macedonia

Language NameMacedonian Sign Language

User Population

2,000 in North Macedonia (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated assuming 0.1% of total population. Around 6,000 deaf people (Koceski and Koceska 2015).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language

Dialects

Language Status

6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2009, Law on Use of Sign Language, Article 2).

Language Use

Used by all.

Language Development

Agency: Nacionalniot Sojuz na gluvi i nagluvi na Republika Severna Makedonija (National Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Republic of Macedonia, NADHHRM).

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]. Two deaf schools (Koceski and Koceska 2015). 30 certified sign language interpreters (2020 NADHHRM). Two fingerspelling systems are used for the Macedonia alphabet, one is one-handed, the other two-handed (Koceski and Koceska 2015).

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Serbia

Language NameSerbian Sign Language

User Population

10,000 in Serbia (2014 EUD). Estimated deaf signers, approximately 0.05% of total population. Other estimates: 30,000 signers (2014 European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters); 30,000 deaf and 90,000 hard of hearing (2013 Association of the Deaf and Hard Hearing); 47,500 (2014 IMB).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

SZJ, Srpski Znakovni Jezik, YSL, Yugoslav Sign Language, Yugoslavian Sign Language

Dialects

Kosovar Sign Language (KosSL). 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).

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2015, Law on the Use of Sign Language).

Language Use

Deaf associations. Deaf camps. Used by all. Some also use Serbian [srp].

Language Development

Agency: Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Serbia and Montenegro.

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]. Regional variants, but adequate comprehension. Efforts to standardize since 1979. Serbian Telecom employees learning Serbian Sign Language as an L2. Interpreters furnished in court. About 100 sign language interpreters (2014 European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters). 40 working sign language interpreters (2014 EUD). Christian.

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Slovenian Sign Language

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A language of Slovenia

Also spoken in:

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