South African Sign Language
A language of South Africa
| Population | 12,100 deaf persons including 6,000 Black, 2,000 English white, 2,000 Afrikaans white, 1,200 Coloured, 900 Indian (VanCleve 1986). |
| Dialects | The North British sign system was used for the deaf in white English-speaking families. In 1881 a school for Afrikaans-speaking families began using British Sign Language [bfi]. Several dialects are used unofficially in different schools. 9 sign language systems, 60% related to British or Australian sign languages [asf], few to American Sign Language [ase]. |
| Classification | Deaf sign language |
| Language use | Sign language is understood to some degree by most deaf people. Some interpreters are provided in courts. |
| Comments | The first deaf school was established about 1846. Now there are 29 schools for 4,000 children. There is a Signed Afrikaans as well. |
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