Jamaican Country Sign Language

JCS

shifting

Alternate Names: Country Sign, Konchri Sain

Genealogy:

Deaf sign language

Demographics: 40 (L. Parks).

Language Use: Currently, only about 40 deaf adults in the Jamaican parish of St. Elizabeth are native Country Sign users. Younger deaf people not learning it becuase the local educational institution is using Jamaican Sign Language [jls] instead. Most of the Jamaican deaf community does not understand Country Sign Language. Also use Jamaican Sign Language [jls].

Language Development: English literacy is very low because many adults have had no formal education.

Nation of Origin: Jamaica

Other Comments: Maranatha School for the Deaf in Ridge (St. Elizabeth parish) uses Jamaican Sign Language , in the classroom. Deaf people in the St. Elizabeth Parish often move to the larger cities for easier access to employment. Country Sign is not being used in the schools and its number of users is gradually declining.