Chad
Total Population
15.9 million (2019 statistics)
Deaf Population
7,000
Number of Sign Language Users
2,800
Nation's Official Language
French, Standard Arabic
Other Languages
The number of established languages listed in Ethnologue is 129. Some of these are:
- Amdang
- Assangori
- Birgit
- Dagba
- Daju, Dar Daju
- Dangaleat
- Dazaga
- Fulfulde
- Hausa
- Herde
- Kaba Naa
- Kabalai
- Kajakse
- Kanembu
- Kanuri, Yerwa
- Kenga
- Kera
- Kuo
- Lele
- Maba
- Maslam
- Masmaje
- Massalat
- Mesme
- Migaama
- Mundang
- Musey
- Musgu
- Ngambay
- Sinyar
- Tama
- Tupuri
- Zaghawa
Name of Sign Language
Chadian Sign Language
Overview Of Deaf Community And Education
The original Chadian Sign Language does not appear to be used in education, but rather ASL. This is not clear however.
Sign Language Overview
The original sign language is reported to be similar to Nigerian Sign Language, which in turn is reported to be similar to ASL. There appears to be no research on the variant used in Chad. French is an official spoken language but there is no report that LSAF is used (see Introduction).
The two national organizations do provide some sign language classes for parents and other interested people.
Deaf Organizations In Country
- Chadian National Association of the Hearing Impaired (ANDAT) and
- Eglise et Mission Chretienne des Sourds au Tchad (EMCST)
Overview of Interpreting Services
There are a few volunteer interpreters available (trained by two organizations of the deaf), but there is no legislative official recognition of sign language or of training. Some health information is provided in ASL. There is no exposure on television.
References
https://www.gallaudet.edu/research-support-and-international-affairs/international-affairs/world-deaf-information-resource/deaf-orgs/local-orgs/chad
List of Contributors
Yves Bosseo, Anne Baker
