Macedonian Sign Language
Encyclopedia
The Macedonian sign language ( or македонски гестовен јазик/ makedonski gestoven jazik) is a sign language
of the deaf community in Macedonia. As all sign languages, the Macedonian sign language is also based on gestures and body movements, particularly movements with the hands. The precise number of signers in Macedonia is not know, but according to the National association of deaf people of Macedonia there are around 6.000 signers in the country. The learning and the usage of the language, as well as the rights of the deaf community in Macedonia are regulated by a national law.
However, the law includes several things, such as: defining the language itself, the rights of the deaf people of Macedonia, studying the language and preparing adequate interpreters, it defines the tasks of the National Association of Deaf People of Macedonia and its financing and it secures proper implementation of the right of the deaf people. Basically, each individual is allowed to request a Sign language interpreter and the institution where such request has been made, or the individual itself, is obliged to find one.
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
of the deaf community in Macedonia. As all sign languages, the Macedonian sign language is also based on gestures and body movements, particularly movements with the hands. The precise number of signers in Macedonia is not know, but according to the National association of deaf people of Macedonia there are around 6.000 signers in the country. The learning and the usage of the language, as well as the rights of the deaf community in Macedonia are regulated by a national law.
Alphabet
The Macedonian sign alphabet is a system of signs used by the Macedonian sign language. The alphabet is made of 31 sign, which is equal to the 31 sound of the Macedonian language. Each letter has its own sign. There are two types of the alphabet; alphabet expressed with one hand and alphabet expressed with two hands.Regulation
The Macedonian Sign language is regulated by a national law on 21 August 2009. The Macedonian law defines it as following:However, the law includes several things, such as: defining the language itself, the rights of the deaf people of Macedonia, studying the language and preparing adequate interpreters, it defines the tasks of the National Association of Deaf People of Macedonia and its financing and it secures proper implementation of the right of the deaf people. Basically, each individual is allowed to request a Sign language interpreter and the institution where such request has been made, or the individual itself, is obliged to find one.
See also
- List of sign languages
- Macedonian languageMacedonian languageMacedonian is a South Slavic language spoken as a first language by approximately 2–3 million people principally in the region of Macedonia but also in the Macedonian diaspora...
- National association of deaf people of Macedonia
- Macedonian culture
External links
- Macedonian sign alphabet on the site of NADPM.
- National association of deaf people of Macedonia
- MTV launches news for the deaf people on Macedonian.