Tunisian Sign Language

A language of Tunisia

ISO 639: tse
Population: 21,200 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.2% of total population. Another estimate: 53,000 deaf (2014 IMB).
Location:: Scattered, especially Tunis and Sfax.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects: None known. Not the same as Unified Arabic Sign Language, an artificial system promoted by representatives of 18 Arabic-speaking countries (Rashdan 2016). Loans from French Sign Language [fsl] and Italian Sign Language [ise].
Language Use: Approximately 70 deaf schools (Total Communication, 2008 WFD). Used by all.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: Low (2008 WFD). Dictionary. Agencies: Voice of the Deaf Association of Tunisia (WFD); ICHARA; Tunisian Association for Assistance to the Deaf.
Other Comments: Interpretation of television news (20 min. daily, but not well-understood), no interpreters in government institutions or at university, all interpreting services are voluntary (2008 WFD). Muslim.

Location: Scattered, especially Tunis and Sfax.