New Zealand Sign Language
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A language of New Zealand
20,200 (2013 census).
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2006, New Zealand Sign Language Act, No. 18, Article 6).
None known. Many structural similarities between British Sign Language (BSL) [bfi], Australian Sign Language (Auslan) [asf], and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) [nzs] and a high degree of mutual intelligibility (2003 T. Johnston, 2005 R. McKee). Linguists sometimes use the name BANZSL to refer to them as a group, while still recognizing them as separate related languages.
Two-handed finger-spelling system derived from British Sign Language [bfi].
Developed informally among deaf people at school and in deaf organizations. Used since 1800s. First school for the deaf established 1880 with oralist policies until 1979.
TV. Dictionary. Grammar.