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KenyanSignLanguage is a DeafSignLanguage of Kenya. SIL code: XKI. ISO 639-2: sgn. Population: Students in primary schools in 1990: 2,600. There are around 200,000 deaf people in Kenya. It is not known how many know KSL. Region: 32 primary schools for the deaf in Hola, Kapsabet, Karatina, Karen, Kerugoya, Kilifi, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Meru, Mombasa, Mumias, Murang'a, Nairobi, Nakuru, North Kinangop, Ruiru, Sakwa. Schools under the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) use a Kenyan version of (American) Exact Signed English, including one at Machakos. KSL is used at Nyangoma School at Bondo, a primary and boys' technical school (Sakwa), and in one girl's school. A school in Mombasa uses British Sign Language. Some Belgian brothers use Belgian Sign language in a school near Oyugis. 4 churches in Nairobi: 2 use KIE Signed English, 1 a mixture of that and KSL, the other uses a mixture of Korean, American, and Kenyan Sign Languages. Comments: Mainly unrelated to other sign languages. It has become standardized with slight variations since 1961, when elementary schools for deaf children were begun. The deaf from Kisumu (western Kenya) to the deaf in Mombasa (eastern Kenya) can understand each other completely even with some dialect differences. The deaf in Uganda and Tanzania do not really understand KSL, though they have much in common. Used in court cases involving deaf people. The Kenya National Association of the Deaf, which has 12 branches. The government is using KIE Signed English. The University of Nairobi backs KSL. Little research. Communication with those who do not know KSL is superficial only. KSL fits Kenyan culture and ties students back to their families and friends who know it. There is a manual alphabet for spelling. Dictionary.(extract from http://www.ethnologue.com/)
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