Indo-Pakistani Sign Language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indo-Pakistani Sign Language |
|
|---|---|
| Native to | Pakistan, India |
| Native speakers | 2.7 million in India (2003) number in Pakistan and Bangladesh unknown |
| Language family |
Possibly related to Nepalese Sign
|
| Dialects |
Bangalore-Madras Sign Language
Bombay Sign Language
Calcutta Sign Language
Delhi Sign Language
North West Frontier Province Sign Language
Punjab-Sindh Sign Language
|
Indian Sign Language (ISL), also known as Indo-Pakistan Sign Language, is a very important sign language. It is used by many deaf people in South Asia. Experts believe that hundreds of thousands of deaf people use this language to communicate every day.
Contents
What is Indo-Pakistani Sign Language?
Indo-Pakistani Sign Language is a way for deaf people to talk using their hands, body, and facial expressions. It's not just spoken words translated into signs. It has its own grammar and rules, just like any spoken language. This language helps deaf communities share ideas and stories.
Where is ISL Used?
This sign language is mainly used in two large countries: India and Pakistan. It is also thought to be used in Bangladesh. Because it's used across such a big area, it helps connect deaf people from different regions.
How Many People Use ISL?
It's hard to know the exact number of people who use ISL. In 2003, it was estimated that about 2.7 million people in India used it. The number of users in Pakistan and Bangladesh is not yet known. This makes ISL one of the most widely used sign languages in the world.
Different Kinds of ISL
Just like spoken languages have different accents or dialects, sign languages can have them too. Indo-Pakistani Sign Language has several different forms, or dialects. These include:
- Bangalore-Madras Sign Language
- Bombay Sign Language
- Calcutta Sign Language
- Delhi Sign Language
- North West Frontier Province Sign Language
- Punjab-Sindh Sign Language
These different forms show how the language has grown and changed in various parts of the region. Even with these differences, people who use ISL can usually understand each other.
Is ISL Related to Other Sign Languages?
Some experts think that Indo-Pakistani Sign Language might be related to Nepalese Sign Language. This means they might have come from a common older sign language. Studying these connections helps us understand how sign languages develop over time.
