Bolivian Sign Language

A language of Bolivia

ISO 639: bvl
Population: 22,600 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.24% of the total population in 2008.
Location:: Scattered, especially Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz departments; El Beni Department, Riberalta municipality.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects: Based on American Sign Language [ase], due to introduction by missionaries, with influence from Spanish (initialization and other types of borrowing). Some groups in La Paz and Santa Cruz incorporate some local signs from their own areas. There is evidence that Bolivian Sign Language is no more divergent from ASL [ase] than some dialects of ASL (Morgan 2004).
Language Use: Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa].
Language Development: Agency: Federación Boliviana de Sordos (FEDOS, Bolivian Federation of the Deaf).
Other Comments: Fourteen deaf primary schools (total communication), no education after primary. Approximately 10 sign language interpreters, all volunteer (2008 WFD). Christian.

Location: Scattered, especially Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz departments; El Beni Department, Riberalta municipality.