Kenyan Sign Language is the language of the Deaf community in Kenya, used throughout the country by a large number of the country's estimated Deaf population of 600,000. Sign language interpreter on stage A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication, body language and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning—simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers... Sign language is not universal. ... The legal recognition of sign languages is one of the major concerns of the international Deaf community. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

There are some dialect differences between Kisumu (western Kenya) and Mombasa (eastern Kenya). It may be related to sign languages in neighboring Uganda and Tanzania, though these sign languages are reported to be mutually unintelligible with KSL. Kisumu ( ) is a port city in western Kenya, with a population of 322,724 (1999 census). ... bumbasa is the second largest city in Kenya, lying on the Indian Ocean. ... Sign language interpreter on stage A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication, body language and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning—simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers...

As well as Kenyan Sign Language, a number of other languages have been used in Kenya by foreign educators: Belgian Sign Language (in one school only), British Sign Language (in one school only) and American Sign Language (Gallaudet world FAQ), KIE Signed English and even Korean Sign Language (Ethnologue report). It is probable that students in these schools use a form of KSL regardless. This article needs to be wikified. ... British Sign Language (BSL) is the sign language used in the United Kingdom (UK), and is the first or preferred language of an unknown number of deaf people in the UK (published estimates vary from 30,000 to 250,000 but the actual number is likely to be closer to... American Sign Language (ASL; less commonly Ameslan) is the dominant sign language of the Deaf community in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in parts of Mexico. ... Various attempts to develop a signed mode of the English language have been developed for use in deaf education. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

A manual alphabet exists mainly from the American Sign Language manual alphabet. However the British manual alphabet was used in the early years. Fingerspelling (somtimes known as dactylology) is the representation of the letters of a writing system, and sometimes numeral systems, using only the hands. ...

Status and recognition

KSL currently has no legal status, but there is a proposal that Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) and Braille should be recognized in the country's new constitution as national and official Languages alongside English and Kiswahili. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Kiswahili is an alternative name for the Swahili language, derived from the expression lugha ya Kiswahili, which is what speakers of Swahili call their language. ...

Interpreters are rarely available, and usually 'unqualified' uncertified due to the lack of a training program/certification process. Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association was set up by a group of 20 local interpreters after a training by the first Deaf Education US Peace Corps Volunteers in September of 2000. Prior to this training there were several short term trainings conducted by KSLRP/KNAD dating back to 1980s and 1990s. KSLIA is an indeginous initiative evolving and strengthening the face of the Interpreting profession in Kenya. KSLIA hopes to improve and elevate the standards of Interpreting in Kenya through the following objectives:

a)To secure official recognition by the Government of S.L Interpreters profession

b)Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of SL interpreting and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level and skills of interpretation through certification.

c)Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf and in provision of S.L Interpreters throughout the world.

d)Awareness creation on Deafness and SL. Interpreters through publication of information materials

e)To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and non members.

f)To maintain and administer a registry of S.L Interpreters in Kenya, enforce a code of ethics and mediate conflict between the Interpreters and their clients.

KSLIA is working towards the establishment of a training program and a certification process for it's membership. KSLIA envisions its role in a three pronged approach - the three C's - Certification of members, Continuing education for the practicing Interpreters and Conflict resolution through enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

Global Deaf Connection,Deaf Aid, and KSLIA have set up the second national workshop for KSL/English interpreters in April 2007. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

A Kenyan Sign Language dictionary was published in 1991. 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

KSL is not generally used in the classrooms of Kenya's 35 residential boarding schools for deaf students, despite it being their main language, and reportedly literacy in English and Kiswahili is very low among the deaf community. Since the first deaf schools were established in the 1960s, the teaching staff rarely (if ever) included a deaf person, until a government program in the 1990s (spearheaded by the Kenya National Association of the Deaf) saw two deaf individuals trained and employed as teachers. However, the program is now continued by Global Deaf Connection chaired by Nickson Kakiri. It is based at Machakos Teachers College. A boarding school is an educational institution where some or all pupils not only study, but also live, amongst their peers. ... Kiswahili is an alternative name for the Swahili language, derived from the expression lugha ya Kiswahili, which is what speakers of Swahili call their language. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Sign language organisations

The Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) is a national non-governmental organisation formed and managed by Deaf people. It was established in 1986 and registered in 1987 under the Societies Act; KNAD is also an ordinary member of the World Federation of the Deaf. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization which is not a part of a government. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation that acts as a peak body for national associations of Deaf people, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language and their friends and family. ...

References

• Kenyan Sign Language dictionary, Akach, Philemon A. O. Nairobi : KNAD 1991 - 580 p. Language: English

External links

• 1996 interview with Simeon Ogolla, former president of the Kenya Association of the Deaf.
• Sahaya.org HIV/AIDS education program using Kenyan Sign Language. This site contains lots of useful information as well as photos of the Kenyan Deaf community.
• Report from a US volunteer visiting Kenya to work with the Deaf community through an NGO.
• Demonstration of KSL CD developed by Peace Corps Volunteers working in Kenya.