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Kenyan Sign Language

Kenyan Sign Language (KSL)
Native to Kenya
Native speakers
340,000 (2007)
Unknown. May have connections to British Sign Language and American Sign Language; some signs from French (Belgian) Sign Language
Dialects
Language codes
ISO 639-3
Glottolog keny1241

Kenyan Sign Language (English: KSL, Swahili: LAK) is a sign language used by the deaf community in Kenya. It is used by over half of the country's estimated 600,000 deaf population. There are some dialect differences between Kisumu (western Kenya) and Mombasa (eastern Kenya).

As well as Kenyan Sign Language, a number of other languages have been used for instruction in Kenya: Belgian Sign Language (in one school only), British Sign Language (in one school only), American Sign Language, KIE Signed English, and even Korean Sign Language. It is probable that students in these schools use a form of KSL regardless.

A manual alphabet exists mainly from the American Sign Language manual alphabet. However the British manual alphabet was used in the early years.

KSL currently has no legal status, but there is a proposal that Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) and Braille should be recognized in the country's new constitution as national and official Languages alongside English and Swahili.

Interpreters are rarely available, and usually 'unqualified' uncertified due to the lack of a training program/certification process.

Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association was set up by a group of 20 local interpreters after a training by the first Deaf Education US Peace Corps Volunteers in September 2000. Prior to this training there were several short term trainings conducted by KSLRP/KNAD dating back to 1980s and 1990s. [KSLIA] is an indigenous initiative evolving and strengthening the face of the Interpreting profession in Kenya. [KSLIA] hopes to improve and elevate the standards of Interpreting in Kenya through the following objectives:


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