Page Type: languageFlemish Sign Language | Ethnologue

VGT ISO 639-3

Flemish Sign Language

A language of Belgium

ISO 639
vgt
Alternate Names
VGT, Vlaamse Gebarentaal
Population
6,500 (2021 EUD). 6,500 deaf signers, approximately 0.1% of the total population of Flanders (2021 EUD).
Location:
Scattered in Flanders.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2006, Parliamentary decree, 26 April 2006).
Classification
Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects
West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders), Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders), Antwerpen (Antwerp), Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant), Limburg. These regional dialects developed in different deaf schools. Also intra-regional variation, some related to gender and age. Most similar to French Belgian Sign Language [sfb]. Influence from spoken Dutch [nld], particularly in mouthing. Limited influence from Signed Dutch (used for some communication with hearing people). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Typology
One-handed fingerspelling.
Language Use
Vigorous. 7 schools for the deaf in Flanders but only a few use VGT for instruction. As of 2008, deaf children increasingly attend mainstream schools, with occasional interpreting into VGT. Used by all. Many also use Dutch [nld], in classrooms for writing (Van Herreweghe and Vermeerbergen 2003).
Language Development
Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Agency: Federation of Flemish Deaf Organisations (Fevlado).
Other Comments
Some courses and training programs for L2 users and interpreters. 165 sign language interpreters (2019 EUD). Legal provision of free sign language interpreting since 1993. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Scattered in Flanders.