Filipino Sign Language
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A language of Philippines
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
FSL, Local Sign Language, Philippine Sign Language
Population
100,000 deaf persons (Van Cleve 1986).
Location
Scattered.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Language Use
Total communication used in deaf schools, with teachers both speaking and signing. All ages. Many also use American Sign Language [ase].
Language Resources
Filipino Sign Language and American Sign Language (ASL) [ase], which was introduced especially by the US Peace Corps, are very similar but generally regarded by Deaf people in the Philippines as distinct languages. Both are in use as a normal means of communication, with a lot of bilingualism. Different deaf schools prefer different languages.