Classification

Wittmann posits that ESL is a language isolate (a 'prototype' sign language), though one developed through stimulus diffusion from an existing sign language, likely Indo-Pakistani Sign Language or the systems that underlay it.

Woodward (1993) compared sign-language varieties in India, Pakistan and Nepal and found cognate rates of 62–71%. He concluded these are separate languages of the same family.

See also

Local indigenous sign languages in Nepal are Jhankot Sign Language

Jhankot Sign Language

Jhankot Sign Language is an indigenous sign language of the village of Jhankot in western Nepal. The Deaf make up 10% of the village, and Jhankot SL is widely known by the hearing community....

, Jumla Sign Language

Jumla Sign Language

Jumla Sign Language is an indigenous sign language of the town of Jumla in western Nepal. Ethnologue reports that there is a Nepalese Sign Language school in Jumla, and that the students come from a 1–2-day walk away and do not speak Jumla Sign Language....

, and Ghandruk Sign Language

Ghandruk Sign Language

Ghandruk Sign Language is an indigenous sign language of the village of Ghandruk in central Nepal....

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