Page Type: languageItalian Sign Language | Ethnologue

ISE ISO 639-3

Italian Sign Language

A language of Italy

ISO 639
ise
Alternate Names
LIS, Lingua Italiana Dei Segni, Lingua dei Segni Italiana
Population
40,000 (2021 EUD). Less than 0.1%. Another estimate: 70,000 profoundly deaf people, including 9,000 school age. (Van Cleve 1986).
Location:
Scattered, including Sardinia and Sicily.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2021, Sostegni Decree, Article 34).
Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects
Tactile Italian Sign Language (LISt). Some variation between northern, central, and southern regions, possibly enough to be considered separate languages. Deaf Italians report that communication between signers from different regions requires negotiation. Opinions differ as to whether the variation is desirable or should be standardized (2013 D. Eberle and S. Eberle). Tactile Italian Sign Language (LISt) is an adaptation of LIS by Deaf-Blind people (Checchetto et al 2018). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Typology
One-handed fingerspelling.
Language Use
Vigorous. Used by all. Also use Italian [ita], with widely varying degrees of bilingualism (spoken and written).
Language Development
Theater. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Agency: Ente Nazionale per la protezione e l’assistenza dei Sordi (Italian National Agency for the protection and assistance of the Deaf, ENS).
Other Comments
200 working sign language interpreters (2021 EUD). Classes in LIS for hearing people. Bilingual (Italian and LIS) programs for deaf and hearing children. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Scattered, including Sardinia and Sicily.