Hebrew Sign Language
5,000 users including some hearing persons (1986 Gallaudet Univ.).
Alternate names ISL
Dialects Not derived from and relatively little influence from other sign languages. No special signs have been introduced from outside by educators. Minor dialect variation.
Classification Deaf sign language
Language use Not all deaf use ISL. Interpreters are provided in courts. Some interpretation for college students. Sign language instruction for parents of deaf children. Many sign language classes for hearing people. There is a committee on national sign language and an organization for sign language teachers. The sign language used in classrooms and that by deaf adults outside is different.
Language development employs the Eshkol-Wachmann movement notation system. Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar.
Comments The first deaf school was established in Jerusalem in 1934. A fingerspelling system was developed in 1976. Jewish.
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