Zambian Sign Language

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A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3
zsl
Alternate Names
ZAMSL
User Population

14,400 (2008 WFD). 14,400 deaf signers out of 16,000 total deaf (2008 WFD), less than 0.1% of total population. Another estimate: 50,000–100,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects

None known. Indigenous signing developed in an oralist deaf school starting in 1955, with later influence from American Sign Language [ase] due to its use in education (1997 V. Chanda). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].

Typology

One-handed fingerspelling.

Language Use

Some deaf schools. All domains. Used by all.

Language Development

TV. Dictionary. Agencies: Zambian National Association of the Deaf (ZNAD); Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Zambia (ASLIZ).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Zambian Sign Language