Algerian Sign Language
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A language of Algeria
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
LSA, Langue des signes algérienne, Lghh alesharh aljza’er
Population
220,000 (2014 WFD). Federation National Des Sourds d’Algerie reports 240,000 deaf members (2008 WFD).
Location
Scattered.
Language Status
6a* (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
None known. It influenced the deaf community in Oujda in northern Morocco. Not the same as Unified Arabic Sign Language, an artificial system promoted by representatives of 18 Arabic-speaking countries (Rashdan 2016).
Language Development
Agency: Federation Nationale Des Sourds d’Algerie (FNSA).
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten documents [Zxxx].
300 sign language interpreters (2008 WFD), but no system of qualifications. Muslim.