Italian Sign Language
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A language of Italy
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
LIS, Lingua Italiana Dei Segni
Population
40,000 (2014 EUD). 40,000 deaf sign language users (2014 EUD). 70,000 profoundly deaf people, including 9,000 school age. (Van Cleve 1986).
Location
Scattered, including Sardinia and Sicily.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Dialects
Some variation between northern, central, and southern regions, possibly enough to be considered separate languages. Deaf Italians report that communication between signers from different regions requires negotiation. Opinions differ as to whether the variation is desirable or should be standardized (2013 D. Eberle and S. Eberle). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Typology
One-handed fingerspelling.
Language Use
Also use Italian [ita], with widely varying degrees of bilingualism (spoken and written).
Language Development
Theater. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Agency: National Agency for the Protection and Assistance of the Deaf (ENS).
Language Resources
300 sign language interpreters (2014 EUD). Classes in LIS for hearing people. Christian.