Algerian Jewish Sign Language

Algerian Jewish Sign Language (AJSL), also known as Ghardaia Sign Language, is a moribund village sign language originally of Ghardaïa, Algeria that is now used in Israel and possibly also in France.[2][3]

Algerian Jewish Sign Language
Ghardaia Sign Language
שפת הסימנים של יהודי אלג'יריה
sfat ha-simanim shel yehudi aljiriah
שפת הסימנים הע׳רדאית
sfat ha-simanim ha-ghardait
שס"ע׳ shassagh [abbr.]
Native toIsrael, possibly France
UsersMoribund (2012)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3ajs
Glottologghar1240

The Jewish community of Ghardaïa immigrated to France and Israel during the years 1943 to 1962. However, because deaf Algerian Jews tended to marry deaf Israelis from other backgrounds, they adopted Israeli Sign Language (ISL) as their primary language and AJSL is now used only by older generations.[3]

Little is known about its use in France.

References

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  1. ^ Algerian Jewish Sign Language at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)  
  2. ^ Lanesman, Sara; Meir, Irit (2012). "The survival of Algerian Jewish Sign Language alongside Israeli Sign Language in Israel". In Zeshan, Ulrike; de Vos, Connie (eds.). Sign languages in village communities: Anthropological and linguistic insights. Berlin and Nijmegen: de Gruyter Mouton and Ishara Press. pp. 153–179.
  3. ^ a b Lanesman, Sara (2016). Algerian Jewish Sign Language: Its emergence and survival. Lancaster UK: Ishara Press. doi:10.26530/OAPEN_588714. ISBN 9780992922108.
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