Nicaraguan Sign Language

A language of Nicaragua

ISO 639: ncs
Alternate Names: ISN, Idioma de Señas de Nicaragua, Lengua de Signos Nicaragüense, Lenguaje de Signos Nicaragüense, NSL
Population: 6,200 (2019 ANSNIC). Estimated assuming 0.1% of the general population.
Location:: Scattered, especially Managua.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects: None known. Isolate, unrelated to other sign languages.
Language Use: Vigorous. Increasing use among hearing people. Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa].
Language Development: Taught in primary and secondary schools. Literature. Videos. Dictionary. Agency: Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Nicaragua (ANSNIC).
Other Comments: Emerged around 1980 among deaf children at newly-established schools in Managua (Senghas and Coppola 2011), with gradually increasing complexity since then. One school has taught literacy using SignWriting, but this is not in widespread use.

Location: Scattered, especially Managua.