Deafness
Table of Contents
Introduction
Being Deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH) can greatly limit a person's education and opportunities to socialize. Many people who struggle with hearing don't even have access to sign language, further setting them back and isolating them from their hearing peers.
This section is intended to help make a more level playing field for students who can't hear, by helping educators identify the appropriate language for their students (by region or culture) if this isn't already known, and then providing as many resources for each of these languages that we have been able to find.
If you already know about some resource(s) we have missed, please reach out to one of the PlaneteerHandbook moderators on Reddit, and we'd be happy to add it to this directory!
Deaf Languages vs Signing Systems
Deaf languages have been created and evolved by deaf community members. These are real languages with gramma, inflections, and cultural significance. They include:
PISL
ASL
BSL
SASL
Auslan
and more!
Signing systems are mere systems that have been developed by hearing people with the intention of facilitating education. These are not considered languages as they do not use Deaf grammar or have cultural significance. They include:
SEE
Out of respect to the people of Deaf and HoH communities we want to help, this page will only include actual Sign Languages.
Deaf Manners
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Their needs and expectations may be a little different if they are Deaf or HoH. For this reason, it's helpful to understand the basic manners of Dead Culture so that students feel safe and comfortable.
Inclusion
"Never say “I’ll tell you later”, “never mind”, or “it doesn’t matter” to a deaf or hard of hearing person. Almost all deaf and hard of hearing people have heard these phrases, or variations of them, countless times while being excluded from information or conversations. Make an effort to include everybody." - Deaf 101
Getting Someone's Attention
No one likes to be startled or grabbed by strangers, but these are issues Deaf and HoH people have to deal with. To get someone's attention in a friendly and polite way, the following options are considered acceptable.
Wave This can be used long distance and is a friendly gesture.
Shoulder Tap As you come up behind or beside a person, you can gentle tap their shoulder to get their attention.
Get Help If the person you want to talk to is facing someone else. Get the other person's attention, so they can let the person you want to speak with know you are there.
Tap on Table If the person is working at a desk or table, gently drumming your fingers on the surface can help to get their attention. Stomping the floor is another alternative. These are preferable if you already know the person
Lights If you need someone's attention right away, or for everyone in a room to pay attention at once, then you can flick a light switch a few times.
Don’t Assume Anything
"Not all deaf and hard of hearing people prefer to communicate in the same way. Some might prefer to speak, some might prefer to sign, and some might prefer to write. Ask them how they want to proceed. They probably know exactly what they want from you.
If you speak out loud and they don’t understand, try writing on a piece of paper or typing on your phone. If you write or type with a deaf person, do not look down on their English skills. Remember that many deaf and hard of hearing people are deprived of language as children and that English is a second language for many Deaf people." - Deaf 101
Speak Clearly & Enunciate
"Speaking clearly and enunciating can help a deaf or hard of hearing person understand you. However, it does not mean shouting and speaking extremely slowly. Why?
Understanding speech is not always a volume problem. Many people with hearing differences can’t understand speech well even if the volume of the voice they’re listening to is satisfactory. This is because of damage in the inner ear that causes distortion, which loudness can’t fix.
Changing the way you speak makes you harder to understand. People with hearing differences use common speech rhythms to help them anticipate what other people are saying." - Deaf 101
Raising your voice at or around someone who is wearing a hearing aid, can be extremely painful, startling, and even cause them to hear you less clearly.
Some audio processing disorders can take perfectly clear-sounding words, and jumble them out of order, so that they don't make sense or may take a moment to untangle mentally.
Awkward Moments
"Even if you follow all of the above tips while speaking to a deaf or hard of hearing person, they might still misunderstand you at some point. Don’t stop. Just repeat yourself and continue the conversation. If they’re having trouble understanding a certain word or phrase, try using a different word, rephrasing what you said, or typing it in your phone." - Deaf 101
Don't Give Up!
"Resist the urge to give up when misunderstandings happen. A little effort on your part can make a big difference to somebody else, and you’ll benefit from the experience, too." - Deaf 101
Creating Deaf-Friendly Classes & Meetings
https://hsdc.org/services/deaf-101/
Examples of forward thinking efforts to include Deaf people in every day life include:
Languages by Location
We've also included sign language libraries and glossaries for each language as we are able to find them. Please feel free to reach out if you know of any we have missed, so we can add them!
Key of Symbols
- Next to each Country name, we have "- sign language name or abbreviation" for the primary or official sign languages of that area.
& We used "&" if both are about equally used or that the Deaf and HoH in that location need both or combine both for their native language.
/ is used to indicate that the languages are used separately, such as in different ethnic communities or depending on specific region.
= is used to indicate that there are 2 or more names for the same sign language.
Africa
"Francophone African Sign Language (Langue des signes d'Afrique francophone, or LSAF) is the variety, or varieties, of American Sign Language (ASL) used in several francophone countries of Africa. Education for the deaf in these countries is based on ASL and written French; there is therefore a French influence on the language of the classroom.[13]" - Wikipedia: Francophone African Sign Language
Algeria
"Algerian Sign Language is the sign language most commonly used in Algeria. It was officially recognized by the Algerian law on the protection and promotion of persons with a disability enacted on May 8, 2002." - Wikipedia: List of Sign Languages
Angola - NSL = Namibian Sign Language
"Namibian Sign Language (commonly abbreviated as NSL) [2] is a sign language of Namibia and Angola. It is presumed that there are other sign languages in these countries." - Wikipedia: Namibian Sign Language
Benin - ASL
ASL
Burkina Faso - Burkina Sign Language / ASL
"Burkina Sign Language is the indigenous sign language of the Deaf community in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. Deaf education in Burkina is in American Sign Language (ASL) and Burkina Faso Sign Language is considered to be an ASL based creole language. - Wikipedia: List of Sign Languages
ASL
Burundi - ASL
ASL
Central African Republic - ASL
ASL
Chad - ASL / Chadian Sign Language
ASL
Cameroon
"Maroua Sign Language is a sign language used by approximately 150 people in and around the town of Maroua, capital of the Far North Region of Cameroon.[1]" - Wikipedia: Maroua Sign Language
Democratic Republic of Congo - ASL / FSL
ASL
FSL / ASL
Langue des Signes Française (LSF) Dictionaire / American Sign Language (ASL) Dictionary Learn one language at a time, or both at the same time. Search for a sign and choose one of the videos to see how to sign each word or phrase in LSF and/or ASL.
Djibouti - Somali Sign Language = SSL
"Somali Sign Language (SSL) is a sign language used by the deaf community in Somaliland and Djibouti."
Eritrea - EriSL
"Eritrean Sign Language (EriSL) is a sign language widely used in Eritrea. It developed out of the Swedish and Finnish Sign Languages,[1] that were introduced by Swedish and Finnish Christian missionaries in 1955,[1] containing a certain amount of local Eritrean signs and having ASL-based Sudanese influences.[2] According to Moges 2011, 70% of the EriSL and Finnish signs are identical.[1] Since 2005, the Eritrean National Association of the Deaf has made linguistic purification attempts to replace Swedish and Finnish signs from the EriSL lexicon by 'Eritrean' ones in an effort to create a more distinct, "indigenous" language.[1] This process is referred to as 'demissionization'.[1]" - Wikipedia: Eritrean Sign Language
ASL
Ethiopia
"A number of Ethiopian sign languages have been used in various Ethiopian schools for the deaf since 1971, and at the primary level since 1956. Ethiopian Sign Language, presumably a national standard, is used in primary, secondary, and—at Addis Ababa University—tertiary education, and on national television.[citation needed] The Ethiopian Deaf Community uses the language as a marker of identity." - Wikipedia: Ethiopian Sign Languages
Gabon - ASL
ASL
Gambia - Gambian Sign Language
Gambian Sign Language is a national sign language used in Gambia by the deaf community there. The only school for deaf children in the Gambia, St John's School for the Deaf, was set up by a Catholic priest from Ireland. Dutch Sign Language was introduced to the school along with British Sign Language which developed into Gambian Sign Language, incorporating some indigenous gestures used by the general population.[citation needed] Unlike much of West Africa, American Sign Language was not introduced to the Gambia until much later so the deaf community is not familiar with American Sign Language. - Wikipedia: Gambian Sign Language
"Ghanaian Sign Language is the national sign language of deaf people in Ghana, descended from American Sign Language.[14][15] It was introduced in 1957 by Andrew Foster, a deaf African-American missionary, as there had been no education or organizations for the deaf previously. Foster went on to establish the first school for the deaf in Nigeria a few years later, and Nigerian Sign Language shows influence from GSL. GSL is unrelated to indigenous Ghanaian sign languages such as Adamorobe Sign Language and Nanabin Sign Language.
There are currently 14 schools for the deaf in Ghana, 13 primary schools and one secondary school in Mampong-Akuapem.[16] GSL is supported by the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) which has their headquarters in Accra." - Wikipedia: Ghanaian Sign Language
"Adamorobe Sign Language or AdaSL is a village sign language used in Adamorobe, an Akan village in eastern Ghana. It is used by about 30 deaf and 1370 hearing people (2003)." - Wikipedia: List of Sign Languages
"Nanabin Sign Language is a family sign language of the coastal Fante village of Ekumfi Nanabin in the Central Region of Ghana, ca. 8 km east of Mankessim. It is used by three generations of a single family which is mostly deaf. The second generation are bilingual in Ghanaian Sign Language.
Nanabin SL is similar to Adamorobe Sign Language in certain conventionalized signs deriving from Akan hearing culture. Both use lax handshapes and portray events from the perspective of the character rather than of the observer." - Wikipedia: Nanabin Sign_Language
Guinea - ASL
ASL
Guinea Bissau - Guinea Bissau Sign Language
"Bouakako Sign Language, known in French as la Langue des Signes Bouakako (LaSiBo), is an emerging village sign language in the village of Bouakako, 6 km to the west of the town of Hiré in southern Ivory Coast. LaSiBo has been used by several generations of deaf people" - Wikipedia: List of Sign Languages
ASL
Kenya - KSL = LAK / BSL / ASL / VBT = Belgian Sign Language / Korean Sign Language
"Kenyan Sign Language (English: KSL, Swahili: LAK) is a sign language used by the deaf community in Kenya and Somalia. It is used by over half of Kenya's estimated 600,000 deaf population. There are some dialect differences between Kisumu (western Kenya), Mombasa (eastern Kenya) and Somalia." - Wikipedia: Kenyan Sign Language
ASL
BSL (British Sign Language)
BSL Glossary - Environmental Science Curriculum Terms currently there are two themes, Ecosystems & Biodiversity plus Physical Environments & Pollution, each with their own categories. This resource was created with the help of experts in Edinburgh.
British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms "Teams of BSL linguists and subject specialists have created this resource by gathering any existing terms and creating new terms in BSL for those that do not. The glossary terms are supported by signed definitions, lab experiments and examples."
VGT
Woordenboek Vlaamse Gebarentaal Zoek op woorden, letters, cifers of thema's en onderwerpen
Lesotho - Lesotho Sign Language
It is a variety of SASL (South African Sign Language).
Lesotho sign language learner's dictionary borrow a physical copy.
SASL
Real SASL "Welcome to the living South African Sign Language Dictionary searchable by handshape, location, category or text."
Libya- Libyan Sign Language
Madagascar - Malagasy Sign Language = Tenin'ny Tanana Malagasy
Wikisigns: Tenin'ny Tanana Malagasy this is a Malagasy to Malagasy Sign dictionary
Malawi
Sign Language Dictionary (download PDF)
Mali - ASL / Malian Sign Language = LaSiMa / Douentza Sign
"Bamako Sign Language, also known as Malian Sign Language, or LaSiMa (Langue des Signes Malienne), is a sign language that developed outside the Malian educational system, in the urban tea-circles of Bamako where deaf men gathered after work. It is used predominantly by men, and is threatened by the educational use of American Sign Language, which is the language of instruction for those deaf children who go to school." - Wikipedia: Bamako Sign Language
"Berbey Sign Language is a family sign language of the village of Berbey in the Hombori region of Mali. The local oral language is Humburi Senni. The language is currently spoken by two brothers (one of whom is deaf) and their families, including four deaf children. In the brothers' father's generation, all signers were deaf.[1]" - Wikipedia: Berbey Sign Language
"Douentza Sign Language, or Dogon Sign Language is a community sign language spoken in Douentza and neighboring communities in the Dogon country in Mali." - Wikipedia: Douentza Sign Language
ASL
Mauritius - MSL = Mauritian Sign Language
Mauritian Sign Language (MSL) is the indigenous deaf sign language of Mauritius.
Morocco - ASL / Moroccan Sign Language / Algerian Sign Language
"Moroccan Sign Language (MSL) is the language of the deaf community of Tetouan and some other cities of Morocco.
American Peace Corps volunteers created Moroccan Sign Language in 1987 in Tetouan from American Sign Language (ASL) and the existing signs; there is less than a 50% lexical similarity with ASL. It is not clear if the 'existing signs' were home sign or an established village sign language. The language is used in three programs for the deaf, but not throughout the country: It is not used in the large cities of Rabat, Tangier, or Casablanca, for example. In Oujda, near the Algerian border, Algerian Sign Language is used, or at least the local sign language has been strongly influenced by it.[19]" - Wikipedia: Moroccan Sign Language
ASL
Mozambique - Lengua de Sinais de Moçambique = MSL = Língua de Sinais Moçambicana
"Mozambican Sign Language (Portuguese: Língua de Sinais Moçambicana) is the principal language of the deaf community of Mozambique. It is reported to have "some dialectal variation", and to be spoken in at least the three largest cities of Maputo, Beira, and Nampula. As of 1999, there were efforts at standardization. MSL is not based on Portuguese Sign Language—or for that matter on American Sign Language—but other than that, its origin is not recorded." - Wikipedia: Mozambican Sign Language
Namibia - NSL = Namibian Sign Language
"Namibian Sign Language (commonly abbreviated as NSL) [2] is a sign language of Namibia and Angola. It is presumed that there are other sign languages in these countries." - Wikipedia: Namibian Sign Language
Niger - ASL
ASL
Nigeria - Nigerian Sign Language / Bura SL / Hausa Sign Language (HSL) / Yoruba Sign Language
"Nigerian Sign Language, NSL is the national sign language of deaf people in Nigeria, however, Nigeria does not have a national sign language yet. ASL (with a possible mix of Signed English) was introduced in 1960, a few years after Ghanaian Sign Language, by Andrew Foster, a deaf African-American missionary, thereby raising a signing system some scholars have referred to as a dialect of ASL." - Wikipedia: Nigerian Sign Language
"Bura Sign Language is a village sign language used by the Bura people around the village of Kukurpu, 40 km (25 miles) south-east of Biu, Nigeria, an area with a high degree of congenital deafness. What little is known about it is due to a brief visit and a videotape by Robert Blench in 2003.[1] It is "likely ... quite independent" from other, better-known sign languages such as Nigerian Sign Language, since none of the signers have been to school and the area where it is used is rather remote.
Bura SL has the lax hand shapes and large sign space characteristic of indigenous West African sign languages. Many of the words are similar or identical to those of Adamorobe Sign Language and Nanabin Sign Language of Ghana, and appear to be based on the gestures common to the hearing population across West Africa. These involve conventionalized metaphors such as 'sweat' for "work" and 'sleep' for "next day"." - Wikipedia: Bura Sign Language
"Hausa Sign Language (HSL) or Maganar Hannu is the indigenous sign language of the Deaf community in northern Nigeria." ... "Hausa Sign Language is not taught formally in schools but is handed down from one generation to the next. Deaf children learn it from their parents, from their peers or other members of the deaf community. HSL is constantly enriched whenever deaf people meet, whether informally or in schools, associations or other groups. " - Wikipedia: Hausa Sign Language
"Yoruba Sign Language (YSL) is an indigenous sign language of the deaf community in Yoruba-speaking communities of southwestern Nigeria." - Wikipedia: Yoruba Sign Language This language may be signed differently based on gender. Knowledge seems limited.
Republic of Congo - ASL
Rawanda - Rwandan Sign Language = Amarenga y'Ikinyarwanda AKR = Kinyarwanda Sign Language = Amarenga yo mu Rwanda AMR = Sign Language of Rwanda
"It is not clear what the sign language or languages are in Rwanda. In 2006, a dictionary project was started to standardize Rwandan Sign Language (Amarenga y'Ikinyarwanda AKR "Kinyarwanda Sign Language"; also Amarenga yo mu Rwanda AMR "Sign Language of Rwanda"), published in 2009.
However, the project was an incomplete effort, and an expanded dictionary, based on signs common throughout the country, was started in 2013. The latter project description implies that these are dialects of a single language, but that is uncertain. Interpreter programs are available in Uganda; it is unknown whether this means that Rwandan Sign Language is related to Ugandan Sign Language.[2]"
São Tomé and Príncipe - São Tomé and Príncipe Sign Language = LGSTP
Sierra Leon - Sierra Leonean Sign Language / ASL
"Sierra Leonean Sign Language is a variety or descendant of American Sign Language (ASL) used in schools for the deaf in Sierra Leone, or at least in the capital Freetown." - Wikipedia: Sierra Leonean Sign Language
Senegal - ASL
"Mbour Sign Language is an indigenous sign language used in a neighborhood of the city of M'Bour in Senegal. Deaf people in the neighborhood meet regularly." - Wikipedia: Mbour Sign Language
ASL
Somalia - KSL = LAK / SSL
"Kenyan Sign Language (English: KSL, Swahili: LAK) is a sign language used by the deaf community in Kenya and Somalia. It is used by over half of Kenya's estimated 600,000 deaf population. There are some dialect differences between Kisumu (western Kenya), Mombasa (eastern Kenya) and Somalia." - Wikipedia: Kenyan Sign Language
Somaliland - Somali Sign Language = SSL
"Somali Sign Language (SSL) is a sign language used by the deaf community in Somaliland and Djibouti."
South Africa - SASL
Real SASL "Welcome to the living South African Sign Language Dictionary searchable by handshape, location, category or text."
South Sudan
"Sudan and South Sudan have multiple regional sign languages, which are not mutually intelligible. A survey of just three states found 150 sign languages, though this number included instances of home sign. Government figures estimate there are at least about 48,900 deaf people in Sudan.[1] By 2009, the Sudanese National Union of the Deaf had worked out a Unified Sudanese Sign Language, but it had not yet been widely disseminated." - Wikipedia: Sudanese Sign Languages
Sudan
"Sudan and South Sudan have multiple regional sign languages, which are not mutually intelligible. A survey of just three states found 150 sign languages, though this number included instances of home sign. Government figures estimate there are at least about 48,900 deaf people in Sudan.[1] By 2009, the Sudanese National Union of the Deaf had worked out a Unified Sudanese Sign Language, but it had not yet been widely disseminated."- Wikipedia: Sudanese Sign Languages
Tanzania
"Around seven Tanzanian sign languages were developed independently among deaf students in separate Tanzanian schools for the deaf starting in 1963, though use of several are forbidden by their schools. In 1984, a standardized Tanzanian Sign Language was proposed by the Tanzania Association for the Deaf, using common or similar signs where these exist in the schools which allowed research, but it has not been officially implemented, and there remains little influence between the languages. A dictionary has been produced.[2] Lexically, the variety that developed in the oralist deaf school in Tabora is significantly different from the dictionary, and is under investigation.[3]
The common Swahili term in Tanzania for these languages is lugha ya alama (ya Tanzania), lit. '(Tanzanian) sign language'. The term lugha ya bubu 'mute/dumb language' is also used, but is pejorative and offensive.[1]" - Wikipedia: Tanzanian Sign Languages
Togo - ASL
ASL
Tunisia - Tunisian Sign Language = TSL
"Tunisian Sign Language is the sign language used by deaf people in Tunisia. It derives from Italian Sign Language, mixed with indigenous sign.
It is not clear how the language of the Burj as-Salh deaf village relates to indigenous sign and TSL.[2]" - Wikipedia: Tunisian Sign Language
Uganda - Ugandan Sign Language = USL
"Ugandan Sign Language (USL) is the deaf sign language of Uganda. Uganda was the second country in the world to recognize sign language in its constitution, in 1995. A Ugandan Sign Language Dictionary has been published. However, knowledge of USL is primarily urban, as access to education for the rural deaf remains poor. Nonetheless, USL is a highly valued element of group identity among the deaf community." - Wikipedia: Ugandan Sign Language
Zambia - Zambian Sign Language = ZASL
Zimbabwe - "Zimbabwean Sign Language"
"Several Zimbabwean sign languages developed independently among deaf students in different Zimbabwean schools for the deaf starting in the 1940s. It is not clear how many languages they are, as little research has been done; Masvingo School Sign is known to be different from that of other schools,[2] but each school apparently has a separate sign language, and these are different from the community language or languages used outside of the schools.[1] "Sign language", without further clarification, became one of Zimbabwe's official national languages with the Constitution of 2013.[3]" - Wikipedia: Zimbabwean Sign Languages
Asia
Afghanistan - Afghan Sign Language, Afghan Sign, AFSL
Argentina - Armenian Sign Language
China - Chinese Sign Language = China Coast Pidgin = Zhongguo Shouyu
India
West Bengal - পশ্চিমবঙ্গ প্রতীক ভাষা = West Bengal Symbol Language
Indonesia
Bali - Bengkala Sign Language, Benkala Sign Language, Kata Kolok
"Kata Kolok (literally: Kolok words) is signed by as many as 1,200 people (40 - 80 of whom are native deaf signers), primarily in the village of Bengkala in Bali, Indonesia, which has been home to a large deaf community for more than seven generations. Despite its geographical origin, Kata Kolok is unrelated to Indonesian Sign Language and spoken Balinese, and is in fact what linguists call a 'language isolate', meaning it has no apparent linguistic relatives. The deaf Kolok community are well known in Indonesia for an array of unique cultural forms, including dance, performance, and martial arts. Read more on Wikipedia: http://bit.ly/1R8zCOJ."
Japanese - JSL = 手話
JSL Lessons & Dictionary (in Japanese) "この手話教室では動画を用いて手話を紹介しています。"
South Korea - KSL = 한국 수화 언어 = 한국 수어
Thailand - Thai Sign Language
"Ban Khor Sign Language (BKSL) is a village sign language used by at least 400 people of a rice-farming community in the village of Ban Khor in a remote area of Isan (northeastern Thailand).[2][3][4] Known locally as pasa kidd ('language of the mute'), it developed in the 1930s due to a high number of deaf people. Estimated number of users in 2009 was 16 deaf and approximately 400 hearing out of 2741 villagers.[3] It is a language isolate, independent of the other sign languages of Thailand such as Old Bangkok Sign Language and the national Thai Sign Language.[4]
Thai Sign Language is increasingly exerting an influence on BKSL. Younger Deaf attend distant residential Deaf schools where they learn Thai Sign Language. Even middle-aged hearing people are using Thai SL vocabulary mixed with BKSL. Attitudes favoring Thai SL over BKSL are beginning to be expressed.[4]" - Wikipedia: Ban Khor Sign Language
Vietnam -
Europe
Austria - Austrian Sign Language, ÖGS, Österreichische Gebärdensprache
Belgium - VGT = Vlaamse Gebarentaal = Flemish Sign Language
Woordenboek Vlaamse Gebarentaal Zoek op woorden, letters, cifers of thema's en onderwerpen
Bulgaria - Bulgarian Sign Language
Croatia - Croatian Sign Language
Czech - Czech Sign Language
France - FSL
FSL / ASL
Langue des Signes Française (LSF) Dictionaire / American Sign Language (ASL) Dictionary Learn one language at a time, or both at the same time. Search for a sign and choose one of the videos to see how to sign each word or phrase in LSF and/or ASL.
Greece - Ελληνική νοηματική γλώσσα
Λεξικό Ελληνικής Νοηματικής Γλώσσας "Πατήστε σε μία κατηγορία για να δείτε τις αντίστοιχες λέξεις ή αναζητήστε μία λέξη"
Ireland - ISL
Spain
Catalan - Catalan Sign Language = Catalana = Catalonian Sign Language = Lengua de Señas Catalana = Llengua de Signes = LSC = Signos Catalana
Switzerland - FSL = LSF
FSL or LSF is used in the French-speaking parts of Switzerland.
FSL / ASL
Langue des Signes Française (LSF) Dictionaire / American Sign Language (ASL) Dictionary Learn one language at a time, or both at the same time. Search for a sign and choose one of the videos to see how to sign each word or phrase in LSF and/or ASL.
UK - BSL
BSL Glossary - Environmental Science Curriculum Terms currently there are two themes, Ecosystems & Biodiversity plus Physical Environments & Pollution, each with their own categories. This resource was created with the help of experts in Edinburgh.
British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms "Teams of BSL linguists and subject specialists have created this resource by gathering any existing terms and creating new terms in BSL for those that do not. The glossary terms are supported by signed definitions, lab experiments and examples."
North America
Belize - ASL
"American Sign Language (ASL) is the sign language used by the educated deaf community in Belize, with some regional variation."
ASL
Canada - ASL / (LSQ) / MSL
"In Canada there are two legitimate Sign languages: American Sign Language (ASL) and la Langue des Signes Quebecoise (LSQ); there is also a regional dialect, Maritimes Sign Language (MSL). The capitalized term “Sign language” refers only to these and to the true Deaf languages of other countries (British Sign Language, French Sign Language, etc.)"
ASL
"Maritime Sign Language is a sign language used in Canada's Atlantic provinces. Maritime Sign Language is descended from British Sign Language through the convergence of deaf communities from the Northeastern United States and the United Kingdom who immigrated to Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries."
Costa Rica - New Costa Rican Sign Language = Modern Costa Rican Sign Language
"New Costa Rican Sign Language, or Modern Costa Rican Sign Language, is the national sign language of Costa Rica’s Deaf community. Old Costa Rican Sign Language is a deaf-community sign language of San Jose, spoken by people born before about 1945. New Costa Rican Sign Language was formed with Old Costa Rican Sign Language and American Sign Language (ASL). It is used primarily by people born after 1960." - NeoHear
"Bribri Sign Language is a village sign language of an indigenous Bribri community in southern Costa Rica. It is unrelated to Costa Rican Sign Language." - Wikipedia: Bribri Sign Language
"Brunca Sign Language is a village sign language of an indigenous Brunca community in southern Costa Rica. It is unrelated to Costa Rican Sign Language." - Wikipedia: Brunca Sign Language
Cuba - Cuba Sign Language language
Dominican Republic - Dominican Sign Language
"Dominican Sign Language is a local variant of American Sign Language used in the Dominican Republic. Many deaf Dominicans use home sign, and are not fluent in Dominican Sign Language." - Wikipedia: Dominican Sign Language
El Salvador - SSL & ASL
"Salvadoran Sign language (SSL) is a language used by the deaf community in El Salvador. Its main purpose is to provide education. There are three distinct forms of sign language. American Sign Language was brought over to El Salvador from the United States by missionaries who set up small communal schools for the deaf. The government has also created a school for the deaf, teaching by means of their own modified Salvadoran Sign Language. The third type of sign language used is a combination of American Sign Language and Salvadoran Sign language. Most deaf understand and rely upon both. Their own unique Salvidoran Sign language is based on their language and is most useful in regular encounters; however, American Sign Language is often relied on within education due to the larger and more specific vocabulary. This is the reason that the deaf community within El Salvador sometimes relies upon both ASL and SSL in a combined form." - NeoHear
ASL
Guatemala - LENSEGUA = Lengua de Señas de Guatemala
"Guatemalan Sign Language or “Lengua de Señas de Guatemala” (LENSEGUA) is the proposed national deaf sign language of Guatemala. LENSEGUA was formed from other sign languages, such as Old Costa Rican Sign Language, American Sign Language (ASL), and indigenous sign languages. About 640,000 Guatemalans have hearing loss, and an estimated 28,000-256,000 people speak LENSEGUA." - NeoHear
Haiti - ASL / LSH
"American Sign Language is taught in the schools of Haiti, but the local variant, known as Haitian Sign Language (Langue des Signes Haïtienne - LSH), is divergent enough to cause problems with mutual intelligibility.[12]" - Wikipedia: Haitian Sign Language
ASL
Honduras - LESHO = Honduran Sign Language = Lengua de Señas Hondureñas / BISL = Bay Islands Sign Language
"Honduran Sign Language, also known as “Lengua de Señas Hondureñas” (LESHO), is the dominant sign language used in Honduras. American Sign Language is also used. The two are not related.
Bay Islands Sign Language (BISL), also known as French Harbour Sign Language, is an indigenous village sign language of Honduras. It started in the village of French Harbour on the island of Roatán and spread to the neighboring island of Guanaja. There is a high incidence of Usher syndrome in French Harbour, which causes deafness and then blindness. Because of this, BISL has developed both visual and tactile modes." - NeoHear
Mexico - LSM
"Mexican Sign Language (“lengua de señas mexicana” or LSM, also known by several other names), is the language of the Deaf community in Mexico. 87,000 to 100,000 people use LSM. In 2005, Mexican Sign Language was officially declared a “national language”, along with Spanish and indigenous languages, to be used in the national education system for the Deaf." - NeoHear
Wikisigns: Lengua de Señas Mexicana Diccionario de Español a Lengua de Señas Mexicana.
"San Juan Quiahije Chatino Sign Language is an emerging village sign language of the indigenous Chatino villages of San Juan Quiahije and Cieneguilla in Oaxaca, Mexico, used by both the deaf and some of the hearing population.[2] It is apparently unrelated to Mexican Sign Language. "
Nicaragua - ISN
"Nicaraguan Sign Language (ISN; Spanish: Idioma de Señas de Nicaragua) was largely spontaneously developed by deaf children in a number of schools in western Nicaragua in the 1970s and 1980s. Before that, the deaf were mostly isolated and used home signs and gestures. So ISL is of particular interest to the linguists as it was developed as a new language." - NeoHear
Panama - LSP / LSCH (in Chiriquí)
"Panamanian Sign Language (Lengua de señas panameñas, LSP) is one of two sign languages of Panama. It derived from ASL and influenced by Salvadoran Sign Language (SSL).
Chiriqui Sign Language (Spanish: Lengua de Señas de Chiriquí, LSCH) is the principle sign language of the province of Chiriquí. Located on the western coast, Chiriquí is the second most developed province in the country, after the Panamá Province.
There are an estimated six thousand deaf people in Panama. As many as two-thirds of that number live in rural areas that have no deaf community or access to sign language." - NeoHear
USA - ASL / PISL
Plains Indian Hand Sign was used before Europeans discovered the Americas. It was just one of the unique sign languages used by Native Americans, but it has contributed along with french sign language to the development of the (now) more widely used American Sign Language.
ASL
Hawaii - HSL = Hoailona ʻŌlelo
Couldn't find a dictionary for this language.
Oceana
Australia - Auslan / Australian Aborigines Sign Language
New Zealand - NZSL
Deaf Aotaeroa: Resources includes pamphlets, videos, Te reo Māori resources, and a downloadable NZSL Dictionary.
New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary Keyword Search in English / Māori languages
South America
Argentina - Argentine Sign Language = Lengua de Señas Argentina = LSA
Bolivia - Bolivian Sign Language = Lengua de Señas Bolivianas = LSB
"Bolivian Sign Language (Lengua de Señas Bolivianas, LSB) is a dialect of American Sign Language (ASL) used predominantly by the Deaf in Bolivia." - Wikipedia: Bolivian Sign Language
Brazil - LIBRAS = Lingua Brasileira de Sinais = Brazilian Sign Language = LSB = São Paulo Sign Language = LGB = LSCB = Língua de Sinais das Cidades Brasileiras = Brazilian Cities Sign Language / Ka'apor Sign Language
"Ka'apor Sign Language (also known as Urubu Sign Language or Urubu–Ka'apor Sign Language, although these are pejorative[2]) is a village sign language used by the small community of Ka'apor people in the Brazilian state of Maranhão." - Wikipedia: Ka'apor Sign Language
Wikisigns: LIBRAS este é um pequeno dicionário de LIBRAS.
Chile - Chilean Sign Language = Lengua de Señas Chilena = Lenguaje Chileno de Signos = Lenguaje de Señas = LENSE = LSCh
Colombia - Colombian Sign Language
Guyana - Guyana Sign Language
Peru
"Carhuahuaran Sign Language is a multigenerational family sign language of the Quechua-speaking region of Peru."
Class Resources
These are listed by region/sign language.
International
APH Tools for Teachers includes guides such as "Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children's Books".
WikiSigns "is a website to create and share video based sign language dictionaries. Wikisigns was launched in 2014 and aims to become the world reference for user created sign language dictionaries.
If you want to help us tell us how using the contact form."
South Africa - SASL
Real SASL "Welcome to the living South African Sign Language Dictionary searchable by handshape, location, category or text."
Europe
Ireland
IrishDeaf: Shop includes equipment, posters, and books.
UK
British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms "Teams of BSL linguists and subject specialists have created this resource by gathering any existing terms and creating new terms in BSL for those that do not. The glossary terms are supported by signed definitions, lab experiments and examples."
North America
USA
Texas
Texas Deaf Ed: Lesson Plans: Science includes videos and lesson plans that cover math, space (from NASA), coding (from Apple), insect lifecycles and more.
Oceana
Australia
Auslan Resources "Auslan Resources is specifically created for Teachers of the Deaf and LOTE Auslan teachers."
Sally & Possum have some episodes that can teach young children about weather, growing plants, and other topics in Auslan. "The series combines live action with animation to create a visually rich and rewarding experience. It prompts the relevance and understanding among Australians of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Complemented by the Queensland kindergarten curriculum and using play based learning, the show is both educational and exciting."
Twinkle Auslan "Start learning sign language with help from our comprehensive range of Auslan teaching materials for Year 3-4 students. Featuring a large collection of display posters, flashcards, resource packs and much more, your students will learn how to sign numbers, greetings and the alphabet. Our resources include colourful illustrations to bring children’s learning to life, and easy to understand instructions for students to follow. Plus, all resources are made by experienced teachers to guarantee quality and accuracy when learning sign language."
New Zealand
Learn NZSL "is a free learning portal on New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). NZSL is the language of New Zealand’s Deaf community and an official language of New Zealand. Whether you’re studying NZSL, trying to connect with a Deaf friend, or just having fun with a new language, Learn NZSL has a lot to offer!
Watch, learn and practise how to use NZSL in common situations, shown as nine topics below. Within each topic, you’ll find plenty of videos, resources and exercises to keep you busy. Go through the topics in sequence to get the full story of Learn NZSL."TKI: Thumbs Up! "An Introduction to New Zealand Sign Language is a resource designed for students in years 7–8 working at curriculum levels 1 and 2. The resource supports the teaching and learning of NZSL as an additional language in English-medium schools."
Tools & Devices
Communication
Brail
Please be aware that brail, like sign language is generally unique to each country or region, so be careful to confirm which type of brail is appropriate for your student before buying any equipment or books.
Time
Management
Bed-Shaking Alarm these only work if the user is on their bed.
Electric Shock Alarms These may be needed for particularly heavy sleepers. Electric shock equipment may be dangerous to people with severe impairments or heart conditions. Talk to a doctor before using and only use if the user gives full, willing consent.
Loud Alarm Clocks these are particularly loud to help people who are only partially Deaf (for example only one ear), or hard Hard of Hearing. Words like "Super Loud" or "Extra Loud" may describe these products.
Strobe Light Alarm this may be inappropriate for those with sensitive vision, certain forms of blindness, or who suffer from seizures. They use light to alert the user.
Vibrating Alarm Clocks these can sit on a table, in a pocket, or be in the form of a wrist watch.
Organizations
International
World Federation of the Deaf "By representing deaf people’s interests on a global scale, we advocate for all people, everywhere."
Africa
Lesotho
Malawi
Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD) is a non-profit making association of the deaf people with more than 12000 members out of 400000 deaf and hard of hearing members across the country. MANAD was formed in 1992 and is registered under the Trustee Incorporation Act of Malawi on 4th January 1996.
The formation of the association was necessitated to cater for the welfare and the interest of the deaf within the boundaries of Malawi. The association is affiliated to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the Federation of Disability Organizations (FEDOMA).
North America
Canada
Canadian Association of the Deaf | Association des Sourds du Canada "is the oldest national consumer organization of, by and for Deaf individuals in Canada for having its interests represented at national level." ... "The CAD-ASC provides consultation and information on Deaf needs and interests to the public, business, media, educators, governments and others. We conduct research and collect data, issue reports, and provide expertise regarding Deaf concerns and rights. We develop and implement pilot programs and “best practices.” We offer assistance to Deaf organizations and service agencies across the country, and also provide a major library and resource centre on deafness at our office in Ottawa, Ontario."
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) "is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977. The purpose of this Alliance is to establish and maintain a society of Deaf GLBT to encourage and promote the educational, economical, and social welfare; to foster fellowship; to defend our rights; and advance our interests as Deaf GLBT citizens concerning social justice; to build up an organization in which all worthy members may participate in the discussion of practical problems and solutions related to their social welfare. There are several Deaf LGBT organizations in the United States and Canada."
VOICE is an organization that develops and implements programs and services encompassing advocacy, family support, and public education. VOICE has connected hundreds of parents and families of children with hearing loss and has become one of the largest support organizations of its kind.
VOICE offers multiple programs for parents, educators, teens, children, and newly arrived families. We work through programs of advocacy, support and education to connect those with hearing loss and ensure success in their lives."
Haiti
Institut Haïtien de Langue des Signes (IHLS) a privately owned sign-language institute in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital.
USA
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) "is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977. The purpose of this Alliance is to establish and maintain a society of Deaf GLBT to encourage and promote the educational, economical, and social welfare; to foster fellowship; to defend our rights; and advance our interests as Deaf GLBT citizens concerning social justice; to build up an organization in which all worthy members may participate in the discussion of practical problems and solutions related to their social welfare. There are several Deaf LGBT organizations in the United States and Canada."
Hawaii
CSChawaii "The Comprehensive Service Center for People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind offers a variety of educational classes, summer youth programs, and a one-stop referral service for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind, their families, and the professionals who work with them."
Oceana
New Zealand
Deaf Aotearoa "is a national organisation representing the voice of Deaf people, and the national service provider for Deaf people in New Zealand. Deaf Aotearoa also works closely with Deaf communities, government agencies and other organisations to increase awareness, promote New Zealand Sign Language and strengthen the rights of Deaf people. Deaf Aotearoa is one of 133 ordinary members of the World Federation of the Deaf and is also the New Zealand representative." Click here to see their Videos.
Educational Opportunities
This section is meant to help educators and people who want to become translators find places to learn and/or earn certifications.
Be aware that not all governments recognize their country's sign languages as official languages yet, which means not all countries have formal certifications at this time.
Europe
Greece
Το Κέντρο Ελληνικής Νοηματικής (Κ.ΕΛ.ΝΟ.) "παρέχει μαθήματα Νοηματικής όλων των επιπέδων, προετοιμασίας Επάρκειας και διερμηνείας, ενώ λειτουργούν και τμήματα μικρής διάρκειας, γνωριμίας με τη Νοηματική για μικρούς και μεγάλους. Το Κ.ΕΛ.ΝΟ. είναι ιδιωτική πιστοποιημένη σχολή Νοηματικής στη Δυτική Ελλάδα, από την οποία μπορεί να λάβει κάποιος μέρος στις εξετάσεις Επάρκειας της Ομοσπονδίας Κωφών Ελλάδος και η πιστοποίηση είναι προσόν για όσους θέλουν να εργαστούν στα ειδικά σχολεία."
Εξ αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση στην Ελληνική Νοηματική Γλώσσα "Είμαστε στην ευχάριστη θέση να σας ανακοινώσουμε την έναρξη της υπηρεσίας σύγχρονης εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης στη Νοηματική Γλώσσα ανά κύκλο σπουδών.
Οι ενδιαφερόμενοι μπορούν να εκπαιδευτούν ζωντανά μέσω ειδικής πλατφόρμας και χρήση κάμερας. ..."
North America
Haiti
Institut Haïtien de Langue des Signes (IHLS) a privately owned sign-language institute in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital.