Bulgarian Sign Language

A language of Bulgaria

ISO 639: bqn
Alternate Names: Balgarski žestomimičen ezik, BŽE
Population: 21,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 14,000–28,000, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Other estimates: 37,000 (2014 IMB), 50,000 (2019 EUD).
Location:: Scattered.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects: None known. Different sign languages are used in school and by adults outside.
Typology: One-handed fingerspelling (Cyrillic script).
Language Use: Since 1920. Primary schools for deaf people since 1898. Allowed in school since 1945. Interpreters are required in court; some available for college students. Used by all.
Language Development: TV. Videos. Dictionary. Agency: Union of the Deaf in Bulgaria (UDB).
Other Comments: 46 working sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Instruction for parents of deaf children available. Christian.

Location: Scattered.