Zambian Sign Language

A language of Zambia

ISO 639: zsl
Alternate Names: ZAMSL
Population: 14,400 (2008 WFD). 14,400 deaf signers out of 16,000 total deaf (2008 WFD), less than 0.1% of total population. Another estimate: 50,000–100,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL).
Location:: Scattered.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Dialects: None known. Indigenous signing developed in an oralist deaf school starting in 1955, with later influence from American Sign Language [ase] due to its use in education (1997 V. Chanda). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Typology: One-handed fingerspelling.
Language Use: Some deaf schools. All domains. Used by all.
Language Development: TV. Dictionary. Agencies: Zambian National Association of the Deaf (ZNAD); Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Zambia (ASLIZ).

Location: Scattered.