The Legal Recognition of Sign Languages

Maartje de Meulder: The legal recognition of sign languages

Sign Language Studies, Volume 15, Number 4, Summer 2015, pp.498-506 

Abstract:

This article provides an analytical overview of the different types of explicit legal recognition of sign languages. Five categories are distinguished: constitutional recognition, recognition by means of general language legislation, recognition by means of a sign language law or act, recognition by means of a sign language law or act including other means of communication, and recognition by legislation on the functioning of the national language council. The article further describes three categories of implicit (legal) recognition.