Kenyan Sign Language
A language of Kenya
| Population | 340,000, increasing. |
| Region | 32 primary schools for the deaf in Hola, Kapsabet, Karatina, Karen, Kerugoya, Kilifi, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Meru, Mombasa, Mumias, Murang’a, Nairobi, Nakuru, North Kinangop, Ruiru, Sakwa. Schools under the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) use Kenyan version of (American) Exact Signed English, including one at Machakos. KSL used at Nyangoma School at Bondo, a primary and boys’ technical school (Sakwa), and in one girl’s school. A school in Mombasa uses British Sign Language [bfi]. |
| Alternate names | KSL |
| Dialects | Mainly unrelated to other sign languages. Standardized with slight variations since 1961, when primary schools for deaf children were begun. Deaf Kisumu (western Kenya) and deaf in Mombasa (eastern Kenya) can understand each other completely even with some dialect differences. The deaf in Uganda and Tanzania do not really understand KSL, though they have much in common. |
| Classification | Deaf sign language |
| Language use | Court cases involving deaf people. The Kenya National Association of the Deaf has 12 branches. The government uses KSE (Kenya Signed English). University of Nairobi backs KSL. Little research. Church, Government. Mainly adults. Neutral attitude. |
| Language development | Taught in primary and secondary schools. Dictionary. |
| Comments | 4 churches in Nairobi: 2 use KIE Signed English, one a mixture of that and KSL, the other uses a mixture of Korean [kvk], American [ase], and Kenyan Sign Languages. Communication with those who do not know KSL is superficial only. KSL fits Kenyan culture and ties students back to their families and friends who know it. Manual alphabet for spelling. |
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