Kenyan Sign LanguagePrint
340,000 (2007 DOOR), increasing.
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Official Languages of Parliament, Article 120(2)).
Standardized with slight variations since 1961, when primary schools for deaf children began. Minor differences between Nairobi (central), Kisumu (western) and Mombasa (eastern). Mainly unrelated to other sign languages, although appears to have influenced Uganda Sign Language [ugn]. There appears to be less lexical borrowing (fingerspelling, initialization) from spoken languages than in many other sign languages. Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
University of Nairobi backs KSL. Deaf associations, government, and courts. Church, government. Mainly those in schools and over 15 years old. Neutral attitudes.