Polish Sign Language

Demographics: 50,000 (Van Cleve 1986). 25,000 members of Polish Association of the Deaf (Van Cleve 1986).

Language Use: Used since 1889. Primary schools for deaf children since 1817. 5,000 deaf children in deaf schools, plus 1,000 who attend school with hearing children. Committee for the unification of Polish Sign Language. Interpreters required in court, provided for some college students and in important public events. Instruction for parents of deaf children. Many sign language classes for hearing people.

Language Development: Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar.

Typology: Finger-spelling system.

Nation of Origin: Poland