Angola
Official Country Name
Republic of Angola
Total Population
25 million (2016 statistics)
Deaf Population
35,600
Number of Sign Language Users
Nation’s Official language
Portuguese
Other Languages
The number of established languages listed in Ethnologue for Angola is 47. Some of these are:
- Chokwe,
- Dhimba
- Gciriku
- Himba
- Holu
- Hungu
- Khono
- Kibala
- Kikongo
- Kimbundu
- Kwadi
- Lunda
- Makoma
- Umbundu
Name of Sign Language
Angolan Sign Language (Língua Gestual Angolana, LGA)
Overview Of Deaf Community And Education
There is little information on the education system for the deaf in Angola. There are special schools for the deaf in Benguela and one in Luanda. It was reported in 2011 that Portuguese sign language was being used in a training for teachers 16, so that it is unclear which sign language is being used.
Sign Language Overview
It is claimed that Namibian Sign Language is the sign language used in Angola. A group of exiles from Namibia brought their sign language to Angola and founded a school for the deaf in 1982.
However a dictionary of Angolan Sign Language was created in 2012.
Deaf Organizations In Country
The National Association of Deaf People (ANSA, Associação Nacional de Surdos de Angola) is the national organization and was founded in 2000.
The Association of the Deaf of Luanda
Association of the Deaf in Benguela
Organization of the Deaf run by Deaf adults in Luanda
Overview of Interpreting Services
In 2016 it was reported that Interpreter training has to be improved in Angola in order to further inclusive education. There is no information about the use of LGA interpreters in schools for the Deaf.
Sign Language Resources In The Country
The first dictionary was compiled in 2006 and a further dictionary of 800 signs in 2012
There appears to be no research on LGA.
Carlos Moncada Valdez, Marcelina Domingos e Ferreira Manuel (2012). Dicionário da Língua Gestual Angolana. Porto: Instituto Nacional para a Educação Especial, Luso Impress.
References
Carlos Moncada Valdez, Marcelina Domingos e Ferreira Manuel (2012). Dicionário da Língua Gestual Angolana. Porto: Instituto Nacional para a Educação Especial, Luso Impress.
List of Contributors
Anne Baker (Professor Extraordinary in Sign Linguistics, University of Stellenbosch, SA)
