Puerto Rican Sign Language
PrintA language of Puerto Rico
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
PRSL
Population
Ethnic population: 8,000 to 40,000 deaf persons (Van Cleve 1986).
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Dialects
Related to American Sign Language [ase].
Language Use
Signs introduced in 1907 by Catholic nuns. Some home signs also used. 4 varieties: Signed Spanish as a pidgin with hearing Spanish [spa] speakers; Signed English as a pidgin with deaf educated in the United States and with hearing English speakers; American Sign Language [ase] with those who know only that; some know only PRSL.
Language Resources
Although some form of PRSL may still be used in the lower populated areas in the western and central parts of the country, it appears that ASL [ase] is becoming the sole sign language of the Puerto Rican deaf community.