LL-L "Language varieties" 2004.12.14 (10) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 14.DEC.2004 (10) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Roger Thijs, Euro-Support, Inc. <roger.thijs at euro-support.be>
Subject: LL-L "Language varieties" 2004.12.14 (08) [E]

> From: Sandy Fleming <sandy at scotstext.org>
> Subject: "Language politics" [E]
> In the Netherlands, I suppose everyone uses Netherlands Sign Language,
even if they live in predominantly Low-Saxon-, Frisian-, Zeelandic- or
Limburgish-speaking environments.  Is this correct?

In "Ons Erfdeel", vol 47; nr 4 Sept 2004, p. 569-575 an overview (in Dutch)
for the situation in Northern Belgium and the Netherlands is given:

Trude Schermer (born in Rijswijk, Nl, director of the "Nederlands
Gebarencentrum")
and
Myriam Vermeerbergen (born in Geel, B, voorzitter "Vlaams
Gebarentaalcentrum"):
"Nederlandse Gebarentaal en Vlaamse Gebarentaal: zussen of verre nichtjes?"
(Dutch Sign Language and Flemish Sign Language: sisters of remote nieces?)
For "Flemish" always read "Northern Belgium" (Flemish + Brabantish +
Limburgish areas).

I try to pick up headlines.

Abbreviations:
VGT: Vlaamse Gebarentaal
NGT: Nederlandse Gebarentaal.

Combination of iconic and arbitrary signs.

Grammar framework:
- Use of space (whole body)
- Multichannel use of the body (v. single channel voice stream)

VGT and NGT are different and not fully compared.
Basics for both come from the French system of Charles-Michel de l"Epée
(1760)
[One of his pupils, Laurent Clerc, introduced the system to French speaking
Americans in 1816]
At the end of the 18th century Belgian and Dutch educational people went to
Paris for learning the system.
This should explain some similarities between VGT, NGT, the French and the
American systems.

Influence of spoken "Dutch" is limited, to some mound patterns, as used when
speaking (as e.g; for auto, car, in both VGT and NGT). Apparently mound
patterns explain the relative ease for VGT-speakers and NGT speakers to
understand each other. (So clearly some impact of the spoken Dutch language
here).

Regiolects in VGT.
- 5 regiolects, rougly coïnciding with the provinces (West-Flanders,
East-Flanders, Antwerp, Vlaams Brabant and Limburg)
Variants in the lexicon (e.g. Sign for "sugar" in Bruges different from the
sign in Antwerp).
Grammar though similar, and after all lexically more signs shared than
different)

Regiolects in NGT.
- 5 regiolects (originating from 5 schools: Groningen, Rotterdam, Voorburg,
Amsterdam, Sint-Michielsgestel).
In 1981 one started with an inventory of the signs (KOMVA-project; "KOMVA" =
Kommunicatieve Vaardigheden, Communication Skills); conclusion was that the
5 regiolects basically could be condensed to 2:
North (Groningen) and West_South
- other variants found: as to formal and informal language use, as to age,
as to sex.

Standardization in Flanders.
In 1997 Fevlado (Federatie van Vlaamse Dovenorganizaties) decided not to
standardize.
Research in 2000 showed quite some spontaneous standardization though.
There is a dictionary on the internet on URL http://gebaren.ugent.be/
(choose for "woordenlijst"; If the sign is only valid for certain provinces,
this is indicated)

Standardization in the Netherlands.
The government (Minister of Education) imposed standardization in 1999 as a
condition for recognition.
In 2002 a first CD-ROM was published with 2500 standardized signs;
for 2004 a CD-ROM with 2500 instruction signs (onderwijsgebaren) is
announced.

Recognition.
No formal recognition as a full legal language yet in the Netherlands.
But de facto recognized in practical arrangements as e.g. for education.
No formal recognition in Flanders either,
but indirectly referred to in several laws and decrees
(as e.g. right to have a sign interpreter in court)

In the walloon part of Belgium:
Recognition in 2003 of LSBF:
"Langue des Signes Belge Francophone".
(LSBF is not dealt with in detail in the article)

It ends with 15 references.

Regards,
Roger

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