Gabonese Republic

Total Population

2,231,000 (2020 World Factbook)

Deaf Population

2,000 (Ethnologue estimate)

Nation's Official Language(s)

French

Other Languages

The number of established languages listed in Ethnologue is 43. Some of these are:

Baka
Barama
Bakwel
Benga
Bubi
Fang
Kota
Lumbu
Njebi
Punu
Sake
Seki
Sira
Teke-Tege
Tsaangi
Wumbvu

Name of Sign Language

Gabonese Sign Language, (Langue des Signes d'Afrique Francophone) (LSAF)

Overview Of Deaf Community And Education

In Gabon there are three schools for the deaf: a public Deaf school that is apparently oral, and two private schools that use sign language in some form. Andrew Foster was involved in the founding on these schools.

Sign Language Overview

There is no information on any original signs used in Gabon. It is reported that LSAF is used as a combination of ASL and LSF (langue des signes française). There is no specific research on the signing used in Gabon.

Deaf Organizations In Country

Association of Deaf-Mutes of Gabon – 1985,
National Association of Late-Deafened of Gabon – 1991,
National Association of the Deaf-Mutes of Gabon- 1997,
National Association for the Total Redemption of the Deaf in Gabon - 2002

Overview of Interpreting Services

It is reported that there are 14 interpreters in the country but there is no interpreter training. There are a few volunteer interpreters available, but no official training..