Finnish Sign Language
A language of Finland
| Population | 5,000 (Van Cleve 1986). Ethnic population: 8,000. |
| Alternate names | Viittomakieli |
| Dialects | 2 major dialects from the Finnish (17 schools) and Swedish (1 school) communities. Apparent influence from Swedish Sign Language [swl] merged with local indigenous varieties. Not intelligible with Danish Sign Language [dsl]. |
| Classification | Deaf sign language |
| Language use | The government pays interpreters to accompany the deaf to hospitals, college, church, etc. Interpreters required in court. Instruction for parents of deaf children. Many classes for hearing people. There is a committee on national sign language. |
| Language development | Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1989. |
| Comments | The first deaf school was founded in the 1850s. Signed Finnish is distinct, but used by some teachers of the deaf. |
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Bibliography data last updated: April-2012
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