Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language
PrintA language of Israel
140 (Sandler et al. 2005). Also used by many of the 3,500 hearing people in the village.
Negev District, Al-Sayyid village.
6a (Vigorous).
Those who have any familiarity with Israeli Sign Language (ISL) [isr], including those who have attended schools for the deaf outside the village, recognize that the two sign languages are distinct, and ISL signers do not understand ABSL, nor do ABSL signers understand Jordanian Sign Language [jos] used on Jordanian television programs received in the area.
Siblings and children of deaf individuals, and other members of a household (which may include several wives and their children) often become fluent signers. Members of the community generally recognize ABSL as L2 of the village. Hearing people there routinely assess their own proficiency, praising those with greater facility in the language. Positive attitudes.