Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Flemish Sign Language is 'Official'

Another score for those who seek recognition of sign languages: The Flemish Sign Language (Vlaamse Gebarentaal, of VGT) was recently promoted to 'official language'. Championne Helga Stevens (lovely VGT-videos) was instrumental as a Deaf member of the Flemish parliament. What the 'official recognition' means for the rights of VGT users and usage of VGT in the public domain remains to be seen (check Taalunie). The Deaf are talking hard and fast. Will they turn the political tide in Europe? What happened when NZSL was made official? At the very least it made the people in the Deaf Association of New Zealand very happy. Their brothers and sisters from the flemish Doof Actie Front also hosted a 'cultural party' to celebrate.

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