Page Type: languageHungarian Sign Language | Ethnologue

HSH ISO 639-3

Hungarian Sign Language

A language of Hungary

ISO 639
hsh
Alternate Names
Magyar Jelnyelv, Magyarországi jelnyelv
Population
10,000 in Hungary (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated deaf signers, assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates: 9,000 (2021 EUD), 49,000 Deaf (2014 IMB). Total users in all countries: 11,200.
Location:
Scattered.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, Constitution, Article H(3)). Recognized language (2009, Act CXXV on Hungarian Sign Language and the use of Hungarian Sign Language).
Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects
Budapest, Sopron, Debrecen, Szeged, Eger, Kaposvár, Vác. Budapest dialect is viewed as the standard. Other dialects show significant lexical variation, some in grammar, with some reports of difficulty communicating between some dialects but no systematic assessment. Related to Austrian Sign Language [asq].
Language Use
Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Hungarian [hun].
Language Development
Dictionary. Bible portions: 2018. Agency: Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SINOSZ).
Other Comments
150 registered sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Christian, secular.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Hungarian Sign Language
User Population
1,200 in Romania (2021). Estimated 1,200 deaf signers, based on 0.1% of approximately 1,200,000 ethnic Hungarians in Romania (2011 census).
Location
Scattered. Transylvania region, especially in counties where a high percentage of the population is Hungarian.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Christian.
View other languages of Romania

Map

Location: Scattered.