Information About Irish Sign Language

Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the indigenous language of Irish Deaf people and of the Deaf community. ISL has been passed down by many generations of Deaf people. It is a visual, spatial language with its own distinct grammar. It is not only a language of the hands, but also of the face and body.

Who uses Irish Sign Language?

A shared culture, community and history unite Deaf people who use ISL as their first or preferred language. There are approximately 5,000 Deaf people in Ireland, many of whom have children, who are hearing, whose first or preferred language is ISL. However, approximately 40,000 deaf and hearing people overall use ISL either as their first language or in addition to their first language on a daily basis in Ireland.

Is ISL legally recognised in Ireland?

No. However, while ISL still has no official status in Irish legislation, it was mentioned in the Education Act 1998; provision for students learning through ISL or other sign language (including provision of sign language interpreting services) was defined as a support service for the purposes of the Act.  This acknowledgement is cited under a support service clause of the Act. Apart from this, there is absolutely nothing in Irish legalisation to recognise the status of ISL users or related rights to use public services.

Why is ISL recognition important to the Deaf community?

The right to use one’s own language is an important human right. For many Deaf people, ISL is the only language they can acquire spontaneously and naturally without teaching, provided they have exposure to it. Like all linguistic minorities members of the Deaf community have different degrees of access to the majority language of the wider community.  For many, English is only a second or even third language. Consequently, written materials as well as spoken communication are often inaccessible to Deaf people.

If ISL is recognised, Deaf people will enjoy the same linguistic rights that hearing people enjoy, and the status of ISL users will be acknowledged.  ISL language is a natural and fully accessible language that allows the Deaf to communicate fully.  ISL is important to Deaf children for their social development and knowledge.