Alternate Names: Viittomakieli
Dialects: 2 major dialects from the Finnish (17 schools) and Swedish (1 school) communities. Apparent influence from Swedish Sign Language , merged with local indigenous varieties. Not intelligible with Danish Sign Language ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 5,000 (Van Cleve 1986).
Language Use: The government pays interpreters to accompany the deaf to hospitals, college, church, etc. Interpreters required in court. Instruction for parents of deaf children. Many classes for hearing people. Committee on national sign language.
Language Development: Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1989.
Nation of Origin: Finland
Other Comments: First deaf school founded 1850s. Signed Finnish is distinct, but used by some teachers of the deaf.