Sign Language: Southern Europe

The sign languages present in Southern European countries cannot be said to share sociolinguistic and historical characteristics, because the particular political and educational history of each country has had an effect on signing communities. However, some common traits can be found across them, in contrast to other parts of the continent, like Northern Europe. The countries and sign communities considered in this short survey are, roughly from west to east, Portugal (Portuguese Sign Language/LGP), Spain (Spanish Sign Language/LSE, Catalan Sign Language/LSC), Italy (Italian Sign Language/LIS), Malta (Maltese Sign Language/LSM), Slovenia (SZJ), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sign Language in Bosnia and Herzegovina), Serbia (Serbian Sign Language/SJZ), Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania (Albanian Sign Language/GSS), FYR of Macedonia, and Greece (Greek Sign Language/GSL). The information available about the past and ...