Swiss-Italian Sign LanguagePrint
300 (Boyes Braem 2010). 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2014 EUD).
Scattered. Ticino and Graubünden cantons.
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People).
None known. Two main varieties: Lugano, Bellinzona (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Similar to Italian Sign Language [ise]. Variety used around Bellinzona influenced by sign languages of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia, Lithuania and Poland. (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010) Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Deaf school has closed (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Deaf association. Status of signing is increasing. Other signed and written languages in Switzerland and surrounding countries, including ASL [ase] (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010).
Taught as L2. 13,000 hearing signers (all three sign languages) in Switzerland, estimate based on participants in sign language classes (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). 7 working sign language interpreters (2014 EUD). Christian (Roman Catholic).