Republic of Congo
Total Population
5,518,000 (2020 UNDESA)
Deaf Population
unavailable
Nation's Official Language(s)
French (recognized regional languages Kituba and Lingala)
Other Languages
The number of established languages listed in Ethnologue is 62. Some of these are:
- Akwa
- Beembe
- Bekwel
- Doondo
- Kunyi
- Likuba
- Lingala
- Mbere
- Mbosi
- Ngbaka Ma’bo
- Sango
- Suundi
- Teke-Eboo
- Teke-Ibali
- Teke-Kukuya
- Teke-Laali
- Teke-Tege
Name of Sign Language
Congolese Sign Language
Overview Of Deaf Community And Education
One school was founded in Brazzaville in 1971 l’Institut des jeunes sourds de Brazzaville, another in 2004. There is very little information to be found on schools.
Sign Language Overview
There is no clear statement about which form of a sign language is used. ASL appears to be used predominantly but with inclusion of local signs. There is some influence from French. There appears to be no research on the variant used in the Republic of the Congo (see Democratic Republic of the Congo). There appear to be no claims that a variant of LSAF is used.
Deaf Organizations In Country
There is a national association for interpreters founded in 2011: L’Association congolaise de traducteurs et interprètes (CATI) but it is not clear that sign interpreters are included. Further there is no information available on sign interpreting.
Overview of Interpreting Services
- Association Nationale des Sourds et Deficients Auditifs du Congo (ANSDACO)
- L’Association congolaise de traducteurs et interprètes (CATI), founded in 2011
Resources
World Federation of the Deaf and Swedish National Association of the Deaf. (2008) Global Survey Report. WFD Regional Secretariat for Southern and Eastern Africa (WFD RSESA)
https://www.ethnologue.com/country/cg/languages
List of Contributors
Anne Baker
