Republic of Seychelles

98,000

600

English, French, Seychelles French Creole

The number of established languages listed in Ethnologue is 3.  These are:

• English
• French
• Seychelles French Creole

Algerian Sign Language

Deaf children can attend the School for the Handicapped (School for the Exceptional Child) on the main island. This school was founded by a Peace Corps Volunteer. Apparently the hearing impaired form 14% of the children at the school. It is not clear which communication means are used with these children. They can also attend the Au Cap school since 2010. There are apparently two deaf teachers. In March 2018 a plan was announced to build a new centre for the hearing impaired including a school on the main island. This plan will be financed by Japan. There appears to be no specialized provision on the second island Praslin..

A dictionary project was launched in 2007 with name Creole Sign Language Dictionary. It started with forming the hand alphabet.  t is not clear how much progress has been made on this project. 

• Association of People with Hearing Impairment (APHI), founded in 2005

There is no official training and only volunteers provide some interpreting. A sign language and deaf mediator service was launched in 2013 by the APHI. In 2014 there were four interpreters in this service and two mediators.

Global Survey Report. WFD Regional Secretariat for Southern and Eastern Africa (WFD RSESA)  (2008)

https://seylii.org/content/new-service-court-users-sign-language-interpreter-deaf-mediator-service-judiciary  

Anne Baker