Estonian Sign LanguagePrint
1,500 (Paales 2011). 4,500 users out of 1,600 deaf and 20,000 hearing impaired. 2,000 persons need regular help from interpreters (1998 U. Sutrop). 1,500 signers (2014 Estonian Deaf Association). 6,300 (2014 IMB).
Scattered, mostly in Tallinn and Pärnu.
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, No. RT1, Language Act, Article 3(2)).
First deaf school 1866. Deaf associations. All ages. Also use Russian Sign Language [rsl].
Fingerspelling system unlike other European countries. Sign language interpretation service started 1996. Estonian Sign Language was first recognized in 2007. Systematic teaching and research since 1990 at Tartu University. (2014 Estonian Association of the Deaf). Sign language instruction for parents of deaf children in Tallinn.