Language Policies and the Campaign for Irish Sign Language Recognition in the Republic of Ireland

Deaf Academics 2015: John Bosco Conama 

In order to examine language policies in general and their effects on the status of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in the Republic Of Ireland, we use Spolsky’s approach of identifying language policies in practice. With this approach, a brief discussion will be based on the current dominant ideology that signed languages are more of a compensatory tool rather than a language in its own right. Then we will make specific references to a number of legislations and governmental reports to reflect the nature of attitude towards ISL. These references will be briefly examined and scrutinised. The possible remedies available to the users of ISL to address their grievances will be mentioned. Linking to this, a campaign for ISL recognition led by the Irish Deaf Society will be broadly described. Lastly, concluding remarks will be given on the future prediction.